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Juicy Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe

Caprese stuffed chicken breast recipe - featured image

A flavorful and easy homemade dinner featuring chicken breasts stuffed with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, seared and baked to juicy perfection.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz / 170 g each)
  • 8 oz (225 g) fresh mozzarella, sliced or torn into small pieces
  • 2 medium Roma tomatoes, sliced thin
  • About 12 fresh basil leaves, washed and patted dry
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • Balsamic glaze (optional, for drizzling)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Toothpicks to secure the chicken pockets

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Rinse and pat dry the chicken breasts. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice each breast horizontally to create a pocket without cutting all the way through.
  3. Season both inside and outside of each chicken breast with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
  4. Stuff each pocket with 2-3 slices of mozzarella, 3-4 tomato slices, and 3 basil leaves. Secure with toothpicks.
  5. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking.
  6. Sear the stuffed chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown, using tongs to flip gently.
  7. Transfer the skillet or move the chicken to a baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  8. Remove from oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
  9. Optional: Drizzle with balsamic glaze and garnish with extra fresh basil leaves before serving.

Notes

Use thick chicken breasts to make stuffing easier and prevent dryness. Don’t overstuff the pockets to avoid filling leakage. Sear the chicken before baking to lock in juices and develop a golden crust. Rest the chicken after baking to keep it moist. If mozzarella bubbles out, loosely cover with foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: Caprese, stuffed chicken breast, Italian chicken recipe, mozzarella, basil, tomatoes, easy dinner, low-carb, gluten-free