Nifs Chicken Caprese Recipes

THE BEST CHICKEN CAPRESE RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400° F.
• Use a thin, sharp knife to slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise. Season both sides with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat a large oven-proof skillet over medium high heat with the olive oil and butter. Once the butter has melted into the olive oil, add the chicken breasts to the pan, being careful not to crowd. Cook on each side until lightly browned and easily release from the pan, about 3-4 minutes each.
• Slather the tops of each chicken breast with the basil pesto, about 1-2 tablespoons per chicken breast. Top each chicken breast with a slice of mozzarella and a few slices of tomato. Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook for 10-12 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165° F. Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

EASY CHICKEN CAPRESE

Steps:

• If the chicken breasts are large and thick, cut them horizontally through the middle to make thinner cutlets or pieces. If you like, use a kitchen mallet to tenderize and flatten the chicken breasts before cooking. This helps them quick quickly and evenly.
• Pat the chicken dry and season with salt and pepper on both sides.
• Heat an indoor griddle or pan over high heat. Drizzle about 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil to coat bottom of pan. (See notes if you prefer to use an outdoor grill).
• Add the chicken and cook for 3 to 5 minutes on each side or until done (chicken's internal temperature should register 165 degrees F).
• In the last couple minutes or so of cooking, top each piece of chicken with a bit of the basil pesto then add a mozzarella slice on top.
• Remove from heat. Add fresh basil leaves and tomato slices on top of each chicken piece and finish with a little balsamic reduction (or balsamic glaze). Finally, sprinkle fresh basil ribbons and serve!

CAPRESE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place chicken breasts, Italian salad dressing, Italian herb seasoning, and chicken seasoning into a resealable plastic bag, knead bag several times to coat chicken with marinade, and squeeze air from the bag. Seal and refrigerate 4 to 6 hours.
• Preheat oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).
• Pour canola oil into a large cast-iron or ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Heat the oil until a small droplet of water pops in the oil. Remove chicken breasts from marinade and discard used marinade. Place chicken breasts into hot oil, fry for 2 minutes, and flip chicken.
• Place skillet into the preheated oven and bake until chicken is no longer pink inside and the juices run clear, about 12 minutes. Top each chicken breast with a slice of mozzarella cheese and a tomato slice.
• Return to oven and bake until cheese has melted, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer chicken breasts to a serving platter and top each with a basil leaf and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

CHICKEN CAPRESE

Steps:

• Pat chicken dry. Cut a lengthwise pocket into the thick side of each breast without cutting all the way through to the other side. Season breasts inside and out using 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
• Stuff each breast with a quarter of the mozzarella, 2 to 3 tomato slices (depending on size) and 4 to 5 basil leaves. Enclose the filling as much as possible by pulling the chicken over the filling. (The chicken can be prepared to this point, covered and refrigerated up to 24 hours.)
• Heat olive oil in a large 12-inch nonstick pan over medium heat. Sauté garlic, stirring, until golden, about 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, scoop out garlic and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the oil in the pan.
• Increase heat to medium-high and sauté chicken until golden on the bottom, about 6 minutes. If the breasts darken too quickly, lower heat. Flip and cook for 5 minutes, then cover and cook 2 to 3 minutes more, or until chicken is cooked through and filling is hot.
• Using a spatula, carefully transfer chicken to a platter or four plates. Pour pan juices over the chicken. Garnish with pesto, reserved garlic and remaining basil leaves.

NIF'S CHICKEN CAPRESE

Steps:

• Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a nonstick pan. Season both sides of chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Add chicken to pan and brown, about 2 minutes per side.
• Cut 1/2 of the tomatoes in half and add all tomatoes to the pan. Cover pan, turn to medium and cook for approximately 3 minutes per side. Remove lid and add basil. Cook until chicken has reached an internal temperature of 180°F.
• Slide chicken and tomato mixture into an oven proof dish. Add 1 slice of mozzarella to the top of each breast. Place under broiler and heat until cheese has just started to melt. The time really depends on the heat of your broiler.
• Remove chicken from oven and drizzle with Balsamic vinegar.

SHEET PAN CAPRESE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of oil onto a rimmed baking sheet and use your fingers to evenly spread it out and coat the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle with the Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Scatter the cherry tomatoes on the baking sheet and shake it back and forth so they become evenly coated in the oil and seasoning. Arrange the chicken in the center of the baking sheet, pushing the tomatoes out to the perimeter, and drizzle the chicken with the remaining tablespoon of oil.
• Bake until the tomatoes are soft, blistered and begin to burst, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the vinegar to a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower the heat to medium and simmer until the vinegar has reduced by half and is thick enough to coat back of the spoon, 7 to 8 minutes.
• Remove the baking sheet from the oven and drape a slice of mozzarella over each chicken breast. Bake until the cheese melts and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast has reached 160 degrees F, 5 to 7 minutes (the chicken will carryover cook to 165 F).
• Sprinkle the chicken and tomatoes with the basil and drizzle with the balsamic reduction. Spoon the collected pan juices over the tomatoes and chicken. Serve on a bed of arugula and with crusty bread to mop up the pan juices.

CAPRESE CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a large shallow dish, combine salad dressing, chicken seasoning and Italian seasoning. Add chicken; turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate 4-6 hours. Drain chicken, discarding marinade., Preheat oven to 450°. In an ovenproof skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown chicken on both sides. Transfer skillet to oven; bake 15-18 minutes or until a thermometer reads 165°., Top chicken with cheese and tomato. Bake 3-5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Drizzle with vinegar; top with basil.