Description
This Caprese Chicken with Zucchini and Tomatoes Skillet is a vibrant, savory one-pan meal that combines tender chicken, fresh zucchini, ripe tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella with aromatic garlic, basil, and a touch of balsamic vinegar. Perfect for a flavorful and easy dinner, it can be served on its own or alongside your favorite sides like spaghetti or rice.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1.5 pounds boneless & skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1″ cubes
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon oil (for cooking)
Vegetables & Sauce
- 2 pounds zucchini, cut into 1″ cubes
- 1.5 pounds tomatoes, sliced
- 6 ounces can tomato paste (low sodium)
- 7 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons oil (1 tablespoon used in chicken step, 1 tablespoon for garlic)
Cheese & Garnish
- 9 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
- Handful fresh basil, thinly sliced
- Additional ground black pepper for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Preheat a large skillet over medium heat and swirl in 1 tablespoon of oil to coat the surface. Add the chicken cubes, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and ground black pepper to taste. Cook the chicken for about 5 minutes, stirring once, until it starts to brown.
- Sauté Garlic: Push the chicken to one side of the skillet, keeping the other part empty and heated. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and minced garlic to the empty side. Sauté the garlic for 30 seconds, stirring frequently so it doesn’t burn, releasing its aroma.
- Prepare Tomato Sauce: Add the sliced tomatoes, tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and a handful of basil to the skillet on top of the garlic. Cook this mixture for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, to combine flavors and slightly soften the tomatoes.
- Add Zucchini and Simmer: Stir in the cubed zucchini with the other ingredients. Mix everything thoroughly, then cover the skillet and cook on low-medium heat for 12 minutes, allowing the zucchini to become tender and the flavors to meld.
- Add Mozzarella: Lay the thin slices of fresh mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the skillet contents. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet again, and let it simmer gently for 5 minutes until the cheese melts.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle additional fresh basil and ground black pepper over the melted cheese. Serve the Caprese Chicken hot, either on its own or accompanied by sides such as spaghetti, Instant Pot brown rice, or Instant Pot quinoa.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh mozzarella with burrata for a creamier texture.
- If you prefer, add a splash of dry white wine when cooking tomatoes for more depth.
- This dish pairs well with a crusty bread to soak up the tomato sauce.
- For a lower-fat option, use part-skim mozzarella and reduce oil slightly.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
