Do you like stuffed-to-the-brim caprese chicken, and do you love balsamic vinegar? Then this stuffed caprese chicken recipe is the dish for you. It’s a healthy and delicious dish that’s perfect for any occasion, and needs just about 15 minutes preparation time.
Balsamic vinegar is a less acidic cousin of the white wine vinegar commonly used in salad dressings. It has a much stronger flavor that is used in a range of foods. Balsamic vinegar is usually aged for several years in France, and it is extremely expensive. I use a cheap brand from Trader Joe’s. It costs less than $7 for a bottle.
Enjoyable Italian flavors aren’t reserved just for pizza toppings—try giving it a try on a chicken breast stuffed full of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
Caprese is usually understood as a salad of mozzarella, tomatoes and fresh basil. This Balsamic Caprese Stuffed Chicken recipe combines all of these elements to make the best stuffed chicken recipe you’ve ever tasted. It’s gourmet enough to serve guests, but simple enough to make a quick weeknight dinner! The chicken breasts are juicy and moist (no dried out meat here!), and the dressing has all the flavors you’d expect from a caprese salad. We further enhance the flavor by adding a simple balsamic reduction of balsamic vinegar, sugar and garlic. Try this recipe instead of the usual chicken caprese…. You will be pleasantly surprised.
Preparation of Caprese Balsamic Stuffed Chicken
Caprese’s Balsamic Stuffed Chicken is quick and easy to prepare. The chicken breasts are first soaked in oil, then seasoned with olive oil and herbs. A topping of cheese, tomatoes and basil leaves is added, then the chicken breasts are secured with toothpicks. The breasts are quickly seared on both sides to give them color, and then go into the oven to continue cooking. Drizzle with the balsamic reduction before serving.
Tips for making the best stuffed chicken
– This dish is best served straight from the oven (don’t let the chicken stand too long before serving). If you want to prepare this dish in advance, you can prepare the spice mixture, slice and refrigerate the chicken breasts and make a balsamic reduction. Follow the rest of the cooking steps before serving.
– You can also use granulated garlic or garlic powder instead of fresh garlic.
– When the chicken is brown, don’t worry if it’s still pink in the middle, it will continue to cook in the oven. Use a thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F.
– This chicken stuffed with balsamic and caprese is diet-appropriate.
– If you don’t have chicken breast, you can use a large fillet of chicken thighs.
– You can make balsamic stuffed chicken caprese in a hot air fryer. After frying, place the chicken fillets in the fryer basket and bake at 370°F for 20 minutes.
What to serve with chicken stuffed with caprese and balsamic vinegar
Serve with low-carb vegetables (like roasted zucchini or zucchini noodles) or greens. If you are not on a low-carb diet, serve it over mashed potatoes or as a side dish to roasted potatoes.
Preserved chicken stuffed with Caprese and Balsamic vinegar
Store cooked chicken breasts in the refrigerator (in an airtight container) for up to 3 days.
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Using a sharp knife, spread the chicken breasts with butter, being careful not to cut into them.
Season each chicken cutlet with salt, pepper and dried herbs on both sides and rub with a little olive oil.
Place a freshly sliced tomato on each piece of chicken fried in oil.
Add a few slices of sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil.
Secure the chicken with toothpicks to keep the filling inside.
Fry each chicken breast for 4 minutes (2 minutes on each side).
Meanwhile, whisk together the vinegar, sugar and minced garlic until the sugar dissolves.
Pour the vinegar mixture over the chicken and cook for another 2 minutes.
Place the chicken in a baking dish and drizzle with the rest of the sauce. Let cook for another 10 to 12 minutes. Remove the toothpicks before serving.
Nuts
If you don’t have fresh basil, you can use dried basil or Italian herbs. For best results, soak sun-dried tomatoes in a little water before using.I’ve played around with stuffed Caprese chicken several times, and have always come up with something that looks fabulous but falls apart after being cooked. I couldn’t find an easy recipe for stuffed Caprese chicken, so I sat down and learned how to make a simple Caprese chicken dish that would be more than just a pretty picture on the plate.
Read more about caprese chicken with spinach and let us know what you think.
