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Juicy Grilled Caprese Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 129 reviews

Juicy Grilled Caprese Chicken is a flavorful and vibrant dish featuring tender chicken breasts marinated in a zesty Italian dressing and garlic sauce, then grilled to perfection. Topped with fresh mozzarella, basil pesto, and marinated cherry tomatoes, this recipe brings a fresh and classic Italian flavor to your table, finished with a sweet balsamic glaze and optional fresh basil garnish.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken and Marinade

  • 2 ½ lbs chicken breasts (about 4 pieces)
  • ½ cup Italian dressing (we use Wish-Bone)
  • ⅓ cup Toom garlic dip (or any garlic sauce aka toum)
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the Toppings and Finishing

  • 8 ounces sliced fresh mozzarella – about 2 slices per chicken breast
  • ¼ cup basil pesto, divided
  • Aged balsamic vinegar glaze, for drizzling
  • Fresh basil leaves, for garnishing (optional)
  • 12 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic paste or powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil

Instructions

  1. Prep chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Place chicken breasts on a cutting board and pound them to an even thickness of about ½-inch using a meat mallet for uniform cooking. Transfer the chicken breasts to a shallow baking dish or a large resealable plastic bag.
  2. Marinate the chicken: In a bowl, mix the Italian dressing, Toom garlic dip, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Massage this marinade into the chicken breasts until fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight, to allow flavors to meld.
  3. Prepare for grilling: Remove chicken from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes before grilling to ensure even cooking.
  4. Preheat the grill: Heat the grill using direct heat to 400°F (medium-high heat). Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
  5. Grill the chicken: Shake off excess marinade and place the chicken breasts on the hot grill grates. Close the lid and cook for 5-7 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F when checked with a meat thermometer.
  6. Add the mozzarella: While still on the grill, place two slices of fresh mozzarella over each chicken breast. Close the lid and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the cheese is slightly melted.
  7. Transfer to serving platter: Carefully move the mozzarella-topped chicken breasts from the grill to a serving dish.
  8. Add pesto and tomatoes: Spread about one tablespoon of basil pesto over each piece of chicken. Spoon the marinated cherry tomatoes over and around the chicken breasts.
  9. Drizzle with glaze and garnish: Finish with a generous drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar glaze over the chicken. Garnish the platter with fresh basil leaves if desired.
  10. Serve: Serve immediately as is or alongside your favorite side dishes and enjoy the fresh, vibrant flavors of this grilled Caprese chicken.

Notes

  • Pounding the chicken breasts ensures even cooking and tenderness.
  • Marinating overnight enhances the depth of flavor and juiciness.
  • Using a meat thermometer guarantees perfectly cooked chicken every time.
  • Fresh mozzarella melts best on the grill but avoid leaving it too long to prevent over-melting.
  • Cherry tomatoes can be marinated ahead for more flavor integration.
  • If an outdoor grill is unavailable, this can be cooked on an indoor grill pan or broiled in the oven.

Keywords: Grilled chicken, Caprese chicken, Italian chicken recipe, basil pesto chicken, mozzarella chicken, summer grilling recipes

Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/juicy-grilled-caprese-chicken-recipe/