20-Minute Sheet-Pan Caprese Chicken

This 20-Minute Sheet-Pan Caprese Chicken uses minimal ingredients but has big flavor. Exactly what we need for an easy weeknight meal. This Easy Healthy Sheet-Pan Caprese Chicken only takes 20 minutes because I slice the chicken in 1/2 horizontally, so it cooks in half the time.

Yield: 4

Author: Lauren Lane

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20-Minute Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken

20-Minute Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken! Easy, delicious, and perfect for a weeknight meal.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 pints cherry tomatoes
• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/3 cup good aged balsamic vinegar (optional)
• 4 slices of mozzarella
• 8 fresh basil leaves, torn
• Crusty bread, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Slice chicken in half horizontally, it will cook faster.
3. Drizzle olive oil onto a rimmed baking
4. Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with the Italian seasoning, salt, and a few grinds of pepper.
5. Arrange the chicken on the baking sheet.
6. Scatter the cherry tomatoes on the baking sheet and shake it back and forth so they become evenly coated in the oil.
7. Sprinkle the tomatoes with salt. Add the vinegar and shake.
8. Bake about 10 minutes and remove the sheet pan.
9. Turn your oven to broil.
10. Add a slice of mozzarella over each chicken breast. Bake until the cheese melts. Remove from oven.
11. Sprinkle the chicken and tomatoes with the chopped basil.
12. Serve as is or over pasta, rice, or arugula. and crusty bread to mop up the pan juice.s.

Notes

• This dish is excellent served on a bed of arugula drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and salt and pepper. It’s also fantastic over a pile of pasta.
• You can double the amount of sauce if you’d like more of the tomato mixture.
• Remember to store your uncut tomatoes on the counter at room temperature for the best flavor.
• If you like your tomatoes more firm, put them in 1/2 through the cooking process
• There are only a few ingredients, so be sure to use fresh garlic and basil if possible.

Chicken

• If you don't slice your chicken horizontally just be sure it's cooked through. It will take longer. (and see the note above about adding the tomatoes later in the cooking process)
• A meat thermometer is your best friend in the kitchen and the only way to be sure your meat is cooked perfectly every time. For chicken, white meat is at its juiciest at around 160°F.
• Most people flock to chicken breast, and the wonderfully flavorful, budget-friendly thigh gets overlooked. Thighs are usually cheaper and easier to keep moist the breasts.

© Lauren Lane

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