Juicy rooster breasts are topped with contemporary mozzarella and cherry tomatoes, then garnished with aromatic basil for an ideal weeknight meal. Prepared in underneath half-hour, it’s a easy but gourmand method to elevate dinner!
Generally you simply want a contemporary thought to interrupt up the standard dinner routine, and that’s precisely what this caprese rooster skillet has accomplished for us in our family. We love this recipe for its simplicity – just some elements, minimal prep, and a fast cook dinner time – nevertheless it’s the daring flavors that maintain us coming again.
One easy factor that makes this recipe a standout is how the cherry tomatoes when cooked, launch their juices to create a lightweight, flavorful sauce that naturally coats the rooster and mozzarella. What looks like a easy addition truly transforms the dish, bringing additional moisture and a burst of contemporary, tangy taste.
It’s turn out to be one in every of our go-to meals after we need one thing straightforward but filled with taste. You may eat it by itself with a easy aspect dish, or inexperienced salad, and the subsequent day you may place the leftovers in a bun or two slices of bread for a hearty sandwich for lunch.
It will even be superior as a panini! Simply unfold some pesto on one aspect of two slices of bread, place the rooster inside with among the tomatoes, cowl it with the opposite slice of bread, butter the skin, and toast it on a skillet for 3-4 minutes per aspect or till the cheese is good and melty. My mouth is watering simply typing that!
Why We Suppose You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredient Overview
Remember to take a look at the total recipe and ingredient listing beneath
- Hen Breasts. The guts of the meal, rooster breasts are lean, tender, and fast to cook dinner. Pounding them to a fair thickness helps them to cook dinner evenly and stay juicy all through. Their gentle taste makes them the proper canvas to take in the daring flavors of the opposite elements. Since they’re a lean supply of protein, they’re wholesome too.
- Recent Mozzarella. Creamy, delicate, and barely tangy, contemporary mozzarella melts fantastically over the rooster, including a layer of richness to each chew. Its gentle taste performs nicely with the opposite elements with out overpowering them.
- Cherry Tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes deliver sweetness and a slight tang that pairs completely with the richness of the mozzarella. Halving the tomatoes permits them to launch their juices as they cook dinner, including a lightweight, pure sauce that ties the whole lot collectively.
- Basil. Recent basil is the star herb right here, delivering a aromatic pop of taste. It provides a contemporary, vibrant contact that brings the entire dish to life.
- Pesto or Balsamic Glaze (Elective). Whereas non-compulsory, both the pesto or balsamic glaze drizzled excessive provides a depth of taste that enhances the tomatoes and mozzarella, creating a superbly balanced meal. I like to recommend that you simply not skip this half!
Storage
- Fridge. Permit the rooster to chill utterly earlier than storing. Place the rooster, together with the melted cheese and tomatoes, in an hermetic container. Retailer within the fridge for as much as 3 days. When reheating, you need to use a skillet over low warmth or the microwave to heat the rooster by way of and remelt the cheese.
- Freezer. Whereas it’s greatest loved contemporary, you may freeze the cooked rooster with out the tomatoes and basil for as much as 2 months. Wrap every rooster breast tightly in plastic wrap or foil and place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. When able to eat, thaw the rooster within the fridge in a single day and reheat it in a skillet or microwave. Add contemporary tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil after reheating.
- Reheating Suggestions. For one of the best outcomes, reheat the rooster on the stovetop in a skillet over low warmth to take care of the feel of the mozzarella. If utilizing a microwave, warmth briefly intervals to keep away from overcooking. If wanted, add contemporary basil and a drizzle of pesto or balsamic glaze after reheating to refresh the flavors.
FAQs
Suggestions
- Flatten the rooster breasts. Earlier than cooking, lay the rooster breasts out and flatten them to a fair thickness utilizing a meat tenderizer or rolling pin. This assist the rooster to cook dinner extra shortly and evenly.
- Don’t overcrowd the skillet. When cooking the rooster, ensure to not overcrowd the skillet. Cook dinner in batches, if obligatory, for evenly browned and juicy rooster.
- Use contemporary elements. Since this recipe depends on a number of easy elements, the standard of these elements should actually shine by way of. Recent mozzarella, ripe cherry tomatoes, and contemporary basil will make all of the distinction within the closing dish.
- Don’t skip the basil, pesto or balsamic glaze. The contemporary basil provides a burst of shade and taste that balances the richness of the cheese and the mildness of the rooster. In case you take pleasure in a sweet-tangy or herbaceous taste, don’t skip the balsamic glaze or the pesto. Every one can add a depth of taste.
- Use an prompt learn thermometer. To ensure that your rooster is absolutely cooked however nonetheless juicy, use an prompt learn thermometer. The interior temperature ought to attain 165 F (74 C). This prevents undercooking or overcooking, offering tender juicy rooster each time.
- Prep forward for simple weeknight meals. If you wish to save time, you may prep the rooster by flattening and seasoning it forward of time. Retailer it within the fridge till you’re able to cook dinner.
Associated Recipes
- 4 boneless, skinless rooster breasts
- salt and pepper, to style
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes Halved
- 8 ounces contemporary mozzarella Sliced. Observe 1.
- ¼ cup contemporary basil leaves Chopped. Observe 2.
- Pesto or balsamic glaze Elective for drizzling. Observe 3.
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Lay the rooster breasts out on a slicing board, cowl them with plastic wrap, and use a meat tenderizer or rolling pin to flatten them to a fair thickness. This helps them to cook dinner extra evenly and shortly.
4 boneless, skinless rooster breasts
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Season each side of the rooster breasts with salt and pepper.
salt and pepper, to style
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Warmth olive oil in a big skillet over medium-high warmth. Add the rooster breasts and cook dinner for 4-5 minutes per aspect, or till an prompt learn thermometer inserted into the thickest a part of the breast reads 165 F (74 C). Observe 4.
2 tablespoons olive oil
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Scale back the warmth to medium-low. High every rooster breast with slices of mozzarella cheese and a handful of halved cherry tomatoes.
2 cups cherry tomatoes, 8 ounces contemporary mozzarella
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Cowl the skillet and cook dinner for an extra 2-3 minutes, or till the cheese has melted.
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Take away from warmth, sprinkle with chopped contemporary basil, and drizzle with pesto or balsamic glaze if desired. Serve instantly.
¼ cup contemporary basil leaves, Pesto or balsamic glaze
- For this recipe, make sure to use contemporary mozzarella. There’s distinction between contemporary and common mozzarella. The contemporary selection is softer and creamier. It additionally has a better moisture content material which helps the rooster to remain moist when the cheese is melting on high of it. For comfort, you may also purchase pre-sliced contemporary mozzarella which is ideal for this recipe.
- You should use roughly relying in your desire. Dried basil can work in a pinch, however use it sparingly.
- In case you select to make use of a balsamic glaze, ensure that it’s a glaze and never straight balsamic vinegar. You should buy ready balsamic glaze or make it your self.
- It’s essential to not overcook the rooster, however equally essential to not undercook it! Relying on how skinny the breasts are, they will take wherever from 4-5 minutes per aspect. In the event that they’re tremendous skinny, they might not want any longer than 3 minutes per aspect. I like to recommend letting the primary aspect cook dinner for 4 minutes, then flip them over and verify them at 3 minutes to see in the event that they’ve reached 165 F (74 C).
Energy: 375kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 37g | Fats: 23g | Saturated Fats: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 2g | Monounsaturated Fats: 10g | Trans Fats: 0.01g | Ldl cholesterol: 117mg | Sodium: 495mg | Potassium: 628mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 861IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 303mg | Iron: 1mg
Servings: 4 servings
Energy: 375kcal