FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You Need My Chicken Caprese Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Caprese Chicken
• My Recipe Tips
• Recipe Variations
• Storage Instructions
• Serving Ideas
• More Caprese Recipes
• My Tools For This Recipe
• Chicken Caprese (Easy Recipe) Recipe card
• Gratitude Moment
• Recipe Reviews

When my kids were still in daycare, a group of our friends started a tradition to get together every week for play dates. One of them, Maria, was the queen of chicken Caprese . She would make it every time it was her turn, and everyone loved it — even the little ones. A few years later, I made my own version one summer when my basil plant was growing out of control. And my Caprese chicken recipe has been on repeat at our house ever since. It’s the perfect summery way to elevate your baked chicken breast . Make it with me!

Why You Need My Chicken Caprese Recipe

• Juicy chicken with classic Caprese flavors – If you like Caprese salad , you’ll love my Caprese chicken. It’s fresh, it’s bright, it’s colorful. It’s bursting with fresh tomatoes, melty mozzarella, and aromatic basil. And a drizzle of balsamic glaze captures those Italian flavors perfectly.
• Quick, easy, and hands-off – Hello, 30-minute dinner! It looks a little fancy, but the prep only takes a few minutes. And you need just 6 ingredients (plus salt & pepper).
• Perfect for any occasion – I make this as a healthy dinner for my family, for entertaining guests, and even for meal prep. My chicken Caprese recipe can do it all!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my chicken Caprese, what each one does in my recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Chicken – I usually use boneless skinless chicken breasts. My friend made hers with boneless chicken thighs. Both are delicious!
• Olive Oil – To keep the chicken juicy and help the spices stick. Avocado oil works, too.
• Mozzarella Cheese – I love fresh mozzarella here for that melty, gooey topping. But shredded mozz or even sliced would work, too.
• Tomatoes – I like Roma tomatoes for this dish, because they are the perfect size and not too watery compared to larger ones. You can also chop up grape or cherry tomatoes, and even throw in sun-dried tomatoes , for a topping similar to my bruschetta chicken .
• Balsamic Glaze – You can easily make my homemade balsamic reduction from balsamic vinegar, and I prefer it because it doesn’t have any additives that store-bought options do. But if you’re short on time, I like this brand that’s pre-made and has no added sugar.
• Fresh Basil – A must for any Caprese dish! I don’t recommend dried herbs for this one.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper – See my variations below if you want to add other seasonings.

How To Make Caprese Chicken

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Season the chicken. Place the chicken breasts in a large baking dish . Brush with the olive oil, and season with salt and pepper on both sides.
2. Partially bake. At this point, the chicken won’t be fully cooked through, but move on to the next step when it reaches 145-150 degrees F.

1. Add the cheese and tomatoes. Top the chicken with mozzarella and tomato slices.
2. Bake again. This time, bake until the Caprese chicken until it’s fully cooked.
3. Finish with balsamic and basil. Rest for 5 minutes, then drizzle with balsamic glaze and top with basil. (I like a combination of fresh basil leaves and ribbons.)

My Recipe Tips

• Don’t crowd the pan. Leave some space between the chicken breasts, to ensure they cook evenly (and don’t take too long, either).
• Use a meat thermometer. I always use this probe thermometer for baked proteins, but it’s particularly helpful for baked chicken Caprese, because you’ll need to add the mozzarella and tomatoes at the right time (when the chicken reaches 145-150 degrees F). For the final baking step, aim for 165 degrees F if you’re using chicken breast like I did here. If you use chicken thighs, I recommend 170 degrees F, because those are more juicy at that temp.
• Why not add the cheese and tomatoes right away? In case you’re wondering, this is because they’ll slide off. Adding toward the end works best.

Recipe Variations

Want to add a little something to your Caprese chicken? Prefer a different cooking method? I’ve got a few variations:

• Pesto – My pesto chicken recipe is very similar to this dish, except I slather the chicken with pesto sauce .
• Seasonings – I keep it simple with just salt and pepper, but garlic powder, Italian seasoning , and/or paprika would make nice additions.
• Stuffed – If you don’t want to fuss with timing to add the tomatoes and mozzarella, you can do it upfront by stuffing them inside before baking. (The method is similar to my spinach stuffed chicken breast , but with the Caprese filling.)
• Grilled – Too hot to turn on the oven? You can make chicken Caprese on the grill using the same steps. Just follow my timing for grilled chicken breast , and add the tomatoes and cheese in the last few minutes of grilling.
• Stovetop – To cook in a skillet, follow the timing of my pan seared chicken breast (skip the sauce). When the chicken is almost done, add the tomatoes and mozzarella, and cover with a lid to let the cheese melt.

Storage Instructions

• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. I like to repurpose them for my chicken Caprese salad , or toss them with zucchini noodles .
• Reheat: Pop the chicken Caprese in the oven again at 350 degrees F, for about 10 minutes. The microwave tends to dry it out.
• Freeze: The tomatoes get a little mushy if you freeze this dish, but you still can, for up to 3 months.

Serving Ideas

Chicken Caprese is an Italian-inspired dish, so it goes well with Italian flavors, but it’s also versatile enough with basic sides. Here are some of my favorites:

• Vegetables – I love this with roasted eggplant , ratatouille , or balsamic roasted vegetables , and you can bake them at the same time if you swap the pans halfway through. If you’d rather cook your side using a different method while your Caprese chicken bakes, try my air fryer brussels sprouts , sauteed zucchini , or sauteed asparagus . Drizzle extra balsamic glaze over your veggies!
• Salad – My tomato cucumber salad is light and refreshing. (I’ve got a simple version of this pictured above.) Or try my simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette .
• Starches – For a more filling meal, make my roasted potatoes or simple rice. I like mashed cauliflower or frozen cauliflower rice for faster, lighter options.

More Caprese Recipes

If you like my chicken Caprese recipe, try my other recipes with tomatoes and basil:

Caprese Skewers

Crustless Quiche

Tomato Bisque

My Tools For This Recipe

• Baking Dish – My fave! It’s pretty enough to double as a serving dish.
• Probe Thermometer – It just beeps when it’s ready! But an instant-read thermometer works too.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 4 medium Boneless skinless chicken breasts ▢
• 2 tbsp Olive oil ▢
• 1 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢
• 4 oz Fresh mozzarella cheese (sliced) ▢
• 2 medium Roma tomatoes (sliced thinly) ▢
• 2 tbsp Balsamic glaze ▢
• 1/2 cup Fresh basil (cut into ribbons) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).
2. Place chicken breasts into a large baking dish , with enough room to have space between them. Brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, then repeat on the other side.
3. Bake for about 20 minutes , until the internal temperature reaches 150 degrees F (65 degrees C).
4. Top the chicken with mozzarella, then tomato slices. Bake for 5-10 more minutes , until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
5. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes . Drizzle with balsamic glaze and top with fresh basil.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 chicken breast

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Chicken Caprese

Gratitude Moment

After 9 years and even us moving to Florida, we’re still good friends with that small group and chat almost daily. I’m so glad that our kids brought us together when they were babies at the same daycare.

Yesterday, we all went out on our friends’ boat and it was the perfect way to spend a hot Minnesota summer day. Some people in the group couldn’t make it, but was glad to get most of us together. It’s been raining a lot this summer, so I’m grateful for a full day of sunshine on the water, with our best friends. Definitely a summer bucket list item for me!

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Chicken Caprese (Easy Recipe)

Make my easy chicken Caprese recipe in just 30 minutes! Juicy chicken is bursting with sweet tomatoes, melty mozzarella, and fresh basil.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/baked-chicken-caprese/

Ingredients

• 4 medium Boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 tsp Sea salt
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper
• 4 oz Fresh mozzarella cheese (sliced)
• 2 medium Roma tomatoes (sliced thinly)
• 2 tbsp Balsamic glaze
• 1/2 cup Fresh basil (cut into ribbons)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).
2. Place chicken breasts into a large baking dish , with enough room to have space between them. Brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, then repeat on the other side.
3. Bake for about 20 minutes , until the internal temperature reaches 150 degrees F (65 degrees C).
4. Top the chicken with mozzarella, then tomato slices. Bake for 5-10 more minutes , until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
5. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes . Drizzle with balsamic glaze and top with fresh basil.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 chicken breast

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)