This cheesy caprese chicken recipe with roasted tomatoes is easy and quick to make. Serve it with buttered noodles or a green salad for a simple, flavorful weeknight meal.
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Friends, welcome to the first recipe of 2018! I don't really make resolutions, but I do have some goals for this year. And many of them center around this 'lil blog, so expect to see more of me around here!
2017 was a tough one, on both the personal and global front, I won't lie. So many illusions I had were shattered in the latter part of 2016, and 2017 was about picking up the pieces and licking my wounds.
I want this new year to be about using the strength I've gained from these harder times to build a life I can be really proud of. "Intentional" is a trendy word that I don't want to overuse, but I will use it here, this one time.
To make things happen, you have to be intentional about it. So I'm starting this year off with clear goals, and actual plans on how to reach them. This may be a first for me 😉
Ok, enough with the vague, personal musings.
My bestie got me this cookbook for Christmas, Yum and Yummer by Greta Podleski. If you're not Canadian, you may not be familiar with the Podleski sisters, Greta and Janet, but they are authors of three great cookbooks that center around low-fat recipes that don't compromise on flavor.
With Yum & Yummer, Greta is striking out on her own, but keeping that same philosphy.
Like everyone else, I always try to start the new year by trimming some of the excess out of my life, both metaphorically and in my cooking. If I have to pick a cookbook to help me do it, this is it!
As a bonus, if you're into videos, this book has a video to accompany every single recipe. First time I've seen this, but what a great idea. For now the book seems to be only available in Canada, but hopefully will be distributed more widely soon!
The first recipe I have tried from the book is this cheesy caprese chicken recipe. It was so. good. And easy!
First, you roast up some tomatoes (the best way to get some flavor out of these dreadful winter tomatoes). Meanwhile, you make a simple balsamic reduction (if you're wondering why you don't see it in the photos, it's because I forgot it on the stove. Typical.).
Then you pan fry some chicken breasts, and melt some fresh mozzarella on top. If your skillet is oven-safe, you could pop in under the broiler for a minute. This non-stick skillet has basically changed my life.
I served this caprese chicken recipe with buttered spaghettini, but you could go with just a nice green salad, to keep it lighter.
As recipes go, this caprese chicken recipe was low-stress, and quick and simple enough to make on a weeknight. I don't really have a recipe "rotation" going on around here, but this one is likely to make a frequent appearance on the menu!
Caprese chicken
Ingredients
- 1 lb plum tomatoes, cut into quarters
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- kosher salt
- freshly ground pepper
- 4 chicken breasts
- 6 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 4 slices
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar no need to use the expensive stuff here!
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Toss the quartered tomatoes with a large pinch of salt, some freshly ground pepper, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Spread tomatoes in a single layer on a small baking sheet.
- Roast tomatoes for 30-40 minutes until soft and beginning to brown. Turn on the broiler for a couple of minutes to further caramelize the edges.
- While the tomatoes are roasting, cook the chicken and make the balsamic reduction. Pour the balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan and whisk in the sugar. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until thickened slightly and reduced by about half. About 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken on one side until lightly golden, about 2 minutes. Turn breast over, reduce heat to low and cover with a snug-fitting lid. Let cook for about 15 minutes.
- Put mozzarella slices on top of the chicken, and add the roasted tomatoes to the pan. Cover and let sit on low heat for a couple of minutes, until cheese is melted, or if your skillet is oven-safe, pop it under the broiler for a minute.
- Drizzle with balsamic reduction, and sprinkle with chopped, fresh basil.Serve with buttered noodles, or a green salad.
Beverly
This chicken recipe is a real winner. I made it with small chicken breasts, and they turned out so juicy and tender., as were the roasted tomatoes with their juices served over linguine pasta . Loved the reheated leftovers. I will make this again and again. Thank you Ann!
Ann
Thank you so much! It’s so easy to dry out chicken breasts but I find this cooking technique keeps them tender and moist! 🙂
Beth
Yum! This looks so good! My husband will gobble this up so fast! I love that you roasted the fresh tomatoes first! I hope this year goes well for you!!
Ann
Thank you so much Beth! I hope you have a great year too 🙂
Rebecca
I bet this is delish!
Ann
Thanks Rebecca!
Joyce
Canadian here! 🙂 I have not heard of them but now I will definitely be checking them out! This dish looks so flavourful and that sauce on the pan! omg, I am drooling here over my morning coffee!
Ann
Definitely worth checking out! Their recipes are super simple and reliably good! Thanks Joyce! 🙂
Tina Dawson | Love is in my Tummy
First of all, a cookbook with videos accompanying every recipe - now that I gotta check out! This is a treat to see and eat any day of the week, simple yet delicious flavors that don't take hours to create! Kinda wish I was eating it now!
Ann
Me too haha! All the recipes I've tried so far from that book have been great!
Colleen
This looks totally delicious.! Roasting tomatoes is life changing 🙂 I have the Yum & Yummer cookbook, but haven't had a chance to look through it yet. Thanks for the inspiration!
Ann
Thanks Colleen! I bet you will love the cookbook. Mine is already heavily bookmarked 🙂
Joyce
This recipe looks so delicious! Love tomatoes!
Ann
Thank you Joyce! Me too 🙂
parth rathod
Chicken looks so delicious and juicy
thank you for sharing
Ann
Thank you!! It was! Kind of wishing I could eat it again right now 🙂