Baked Pesto Caprese Chicken (Print Version)

Juicy chicken topped with pesto, tomatoes, and melted mozzarella for a satisfying Italian-inspired meal ready in 40 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 6 oz each)

→ Dairy

02 - 7 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
03 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

→ Vegetables

04 - 2 medium ripe tomatoes, sliced
05 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish

→ Sauces & Condiments

06 - 4 tbsp pesto (store-bought or homemade)

→ Seasonings

07 - 1 tbsp olive oil
08 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil.
02 - Place chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
03 - Spread 1 tablespoon of pesto evenly over the top of each chicken breast.
04 - Arrange tomato slices over the pesto-coated chicken, distributing evenly among all pieces.
05 - Top each chicken breast with mozzarella slices. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the mozzarella if desired.
06 - Drizzle remaining olive oil over the assembled chicken. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and cheese is golden and bubbly.
07 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The pesto creates an instant flavor base so you dont need a dozen spices
  • Everything bakes on one sheet which means zero cleanup drama
  • It looks impressive but takes about five minutes of hands on time
02 -
  • Thinner chicken breasts cook faster so check for doneness at the 20 minute mark to avoid drying them out
  • Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes after baking so the juices redistribute throughout the meat
  • If the cheese browns too quickly, tent a piece of foil loosely over the top of the baking dish
03 -
  • Let the chicken sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before baking for more even cooking
  • Use a meat thermometer to check for 74°C (165°F) internal temperature for perfectly safe results

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