Description
A quick and delicious skillet meal combining lean ground chicken with classic Caprese flavors. Fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and basil create a colorful, protein-packed dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
- 2 pounds ground chicken
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 8 ounces tomato sauce or marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 8 ounces mozzarella pearls
- 10 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
- Fresh chopped basil, for garnish
- Balsamic glaze, for garnish
- Grated parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 500 degrees F. This high temperature will quickly melt the cheese and blister the tomatoes without overcooking them, maintaining their fresh flavor and texture.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Add the olive oil to a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the garlic, stir and cook 1 minute longer, being careful not to burn it as this will impart a bitter taste.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the ground chicken to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks until completely cooked through with no pink remaining. Drain any excess liquid from the pan if needed to prevent the dish from becoming too watery.
- Season and Sauce: Season the chicken with salt, oregano, basil, and dried parsley, stirring to evenly distribute the spices. Pour in the tomato sauce and balsamic vinegar and stir to combine, creating a flavorful base for the Caprese toppings.
- Add Toppings and Bake: Scatter the mozzarella pearls and halved cherry tomatoes on top of the ground chicken mixture. Place the skillet into the preheated oven and bake for 7-8 minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey and the tomatoes are slightly blistered.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh chopped basil, a drizzle of balsamic glaze, and a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese for extra flavor and a beautiful presentation.
Notes
- For a lower-carb option, serve over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice instead of pasta.
- This dish can be made ahead and reheated, though fresh garnishes should be added just before serving.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the mixture to a baking dish before adding the cheese and tomatoes.
- Ground turkey can be substituted for ground chicken if preferred.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the chicken mixture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main-course
- Method: One Pot & One Pan
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 125mg