20-minute Chicken Caprese with Pesto

If you are in need of a fresh, quick, and easy meal, this 20-minute Chicken Caprese with Pesto recipe is for you! This meal is perfect for those nights when you want something delicious without having to spend hours in the kitchen.

This chicken caprese with pesto is satisfying and incredibly fresh in flavor. I love incorporating ingredients that are in season which is why I like that this recipe uses fresh tomatoes and basil. This meal really does remind me of summertime with the garden freshness and vibrant color.  

This 20-minute chicken caprese with pesto elevates your typical weeknight chicken dish. I season the chicken first and let it sit while I warm a skillet. While the chicken is cooking, I work on the tomato salad topping with crisp cherry tomatoes, balsamic, and basil. After the chicken is done cooking, I slice and add fresh mozzarella and let it melt on top. Then I plate it and spread the homemade pesto on top and layer with the tomato salad. Sometimes before sprinkling some parmesan cheese, I like to add balsamic reduction over the garnished chicken cutlets because it enhances the flavors. I might even take it up a notch with a pinch or two of Maldon sea salt. 

If you don’t have Maldon sea salt, you are certainly missing out. It is a flaky sea salt that is lighter than typical salt granules and it adds texture, flavor, and a slight crunch. It will quickly become your new staple ingredient to top off your meals.

If you don’t have 20 minutes to spare during dinnertime to cook, you can also prepare this meal ahead of time by pre-cooking the chicken and making the tomato salad. This means all you need to do during dinnertime is plate the chicken, add the pesto and tomatoes, and you’re ready to go! 

This meal is gluten-free and can be made dairy free if you use dairy-free cheese. Usually I dairy when I make this for my family, but there are many dairy-free mozzarella and parmesan options that can be used as a substitute.

I am excited to hear what you think about this. Can’t tell if my favorite part is the flavor or the convenience but I think it might be a tie! 

What ingredients you need to make chicken caprese with pesto:

• Chicken breasts- boneless and skinless 
• Olive oil- can use avocado oil if you prefer
• Sea salt and black pepper- to taste
• Garlic cloves- freshly minced or garlic powder
• Italian seasoning- to season the chicken
• Mozzarella cheese- a fresh ball of mozzarella to cut into slices works perfectly
• Pesto- homemade or store bought
• Cherry tomatoes- sweet and juicy for the tomato salad topping 
• Balsamic vinegar– brings the flavors together
• Fresh basil- I prefer fresh for this dish as it adds more flavor than dried basil
• Parmesan cheese- for a finishing touch

How to make this chicken caprese with pesto:

1. In a large bowl, add the chicken and coat with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic cloves and Italian seasoning and set aside
2. Warm a large skillet with medium high heat
3. Add oil and the chicken so it fits comfortably on skillet (no overcrowding) and cook for about 7 minutes on one side 
4. While the chicken starts cooking, combine the tomatoes, balsamic and basil together (add salt and pepper if desired) and set aside
5. Flip the chicken over and cook for 3 more minutes on medium heat. Then add the cheese to each piece of chicken, cover with a lid, and cook on low until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F
6. Remove chicken from the skillet and top with pesto and the tomato salad
7. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and enjoy!

FAQs and tips on making this chicken caprese:

• Do I need to use cherry tomatoes? You can use your preference of tomatoes in this dish. If you would prefer to slice a plum tomato, beefsteak, or even heirloom tomatoes, you can choose your favorite type. 

• Can I use a different type of chicken? I prefer boneless and skinless chicken breasts here because it is the easiest and quickest. If you would like to use a different type of chicken like thighs, your cooking time will be longer.

• Want to take it up a notch? Add some balsamic glaze and Maldon sea salt on top of the tomato salad before sprinkling the parmesan cheese. 

• Can I prep this ahead of time? Yes! If you prep this ahead of time, leave the chicken, pesto, and tomato salad separate and then assemble the dish when you are ready to make it. 

• What can I serve with this? This dish goes with anything! It is amazing on top of a bed of orzo because the chicken, pesto, and tomatoes give the orzo so much flavor. I also enjoy the chicken on top of arugula to create a chicken caprese pesto salad. You can also serve it alongside some crispy parmesan potatoes. If you’re looking for a veggie side, you can use oven roasted broccoli, cauliflower, or asparagus. 

A few other quick meals to try:

10-minute Caprese Stuffed Avocados

15-minute Chicken and Cabbage Stir Fry

20-minute Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken

20-minute Creamy Tuscan Chicken

30-minute Chicken Shawarma Meatballs (gluten-free)