Easy One-Pan Caprese Chicken Thighs Recipe with Juicy Tomatoes for Perfect Dinner
A quick and easy one-pan Italian-inspired dinner featuring crispy chicken thighs, juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil, finished with a tangy balsamic glaze.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1 to 1.5 pounds / 450 to 680 grams)
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes (about 300 grams)
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced thick (225 grams)
- A generous handful fresh basil leaves, washed and patted dry
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar or store-bought balsamic glaze
- Salt to taste (preferably kosher salt)
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and dried oregano or Italian seasoning.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. When shimmering, add the chicken thighs skin-side down. Sear for about 6-7 minutes without moving them, until the skin is golden and crispy.
- Flip the chicken thighs and cook for another 3 minutes on the other side.
- Add the minced garlic and cherry tomatoes around the chicken in the skillet, stirring the tomatoes gently to coat in the pan juices. Let cook for 2 minutes to soften the tomatoes slightly.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Roast for 15 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the tomatoes are juicy and blistered.
- Remove the skillet from the oven and arrange the fresh mozzarella slices evenly over each chicken thigh.
- Return the skillet to the oven and broil on high for 2-3 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is melted and bubbly with light golden spots.
- Take the skillet out and sprinkle fresh basil leaves on top. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar or glaze.
- Serve immediately, either directly from the skillet or plated with a spoonful of the juicy tomatoes and pan sauce.
Notes
Pat chicken dry before searing to ensure crispy skin. Do not overcrowd the skillet to avoid steaming the tomatoes. Watch the broiler step carefully to prevent burning the cheese. If skillet is not broiler-safe, transfer to a baking dish before broiling. Let chicken rest 5 minutes after cooking for juiciness. For dairy-free, substitute mozzarella with plant-based cheese or omit cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with
- Calories: 380420
- Sugar: 34
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 12
- Protein: 35
Keywords: Caprese chicken, one-pan dinner, chicken thighs, juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, balsamic glaze, easy dinner, Italian recipe