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Savory Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe for Perfect Crispy Skin

caprese stuffed chicken breast - featured image

A delicious stuffed chicken breast recipe featuring fresh mozzarella, basil, and ripe tomatoes with irresistibly crispy skin. Perfect for quick, cozy dinners that impress with minimal fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skin-on chicken breasts (68 ounces each)
  • 4 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced or torn
  • 1 large vine-ripened tomato, thinly sliced
  • 12 fresh basil leaves, washed and patted dry
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced or pressed
  • Salt to taste (preferably kosher salt)
  • Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • Balsamic glaze (optional, for drizzling)
  • Toothpicks or kitchen twine for securing the chicken

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice a pocket lengthwise into each chicken breast without cutting all the way through. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
  3. Season the inside of the pocket and the skin side generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
  4. Stuff each chicken breast with 1 ounce of fresh mozzarella, 2-3 slices of tomato, 3 basil leaves, and a pinch of minced garlic. Secure the opening with toothpicks or kitchen twine.
  5. Heat olive oil in a cast iron or oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
  6. Place the chicken breasts skin-side down in the skillet and press lightly with a spatula. Sear for 5-6 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Avoid moving the chicken too much.
  7. Flip the chicken breasts carefully and transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the chicken to a baking dish before baking.
  8. Remove the chicken from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices.
  9. Optionally, drizzle with balsamic glaze and garnish with extra fresh basil leaves before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken skin dry before seasoning to ensure crispiness. Use an oven-safe skillet to sear and bake in the same pan for best results. Let chicken rest after cooking to keep it juicy. If skin is not crispy enough, broil for 1-2 minutes watching carefully. Avoid microwaving leftovers to maintain crispy skin.

Nutrition

Keywords: Caprese, stuffed chicken breast, crispy skin, mozzarella, basil, tomatoes, easy dinner, weeknight meal, Italian, healthy chicken recipe