20 Minute Grilled Chicken Caprese Recipe

Grilled Chicken Caprese is fresh, delicious and ready in about 20 minutes, which makes it an easy meal any night of the week.

I have to call it like I see it and if you are looking at recipes for main courses to serve, this one is a definite winner. These chicken breasts are full of fresh flavor from a healthy dollop of pesto, ripe Roma tomatoes and lots of fresh basil. Once you top it all off with a generous slice of melted fresh mozzarella it’s hard to beat.

One of the ingredients that makes this recipe both easy and so flavorful is jarred pesto. I try to keep this in my fridge at all times. It’s such a versatile sauce and it adds so much flavor to so many dishes.

It gets even better because this grilled chicken caprese recipe can be pulled together in about 20 minutes and the prep work for this dish is really quite minimal. Simply pound the chicken breasts out slightly so that they cook evenly, slice some tomatoes and fresh mozzarella, and chop up some basil. You are ready to grill!

This chicken that’s full of great flavor and bursting with vibrant color can be on your plate quickly whenever you have a craving for delicious food. It’s that simple.

What Makes This Recipe Great

✅ Quick and Easy, but Loads of Flavor – If you are looking for easy dinner recipes, you can whip this up in just 20 minutes. So, this recipe is perfect when time’s tight but you still want a meal that feels special and delicious. Grilling the chicken adds a smoky, charred vibe that brings the whole dish to life.

✅ Fresh and Vibrant Ingredients – The combo of juicy, fresh tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil is super refreshing and bright, making the dish feel light and summery any time of year.

✅ Perfect for Any Occasion – Whether you’re cooking for a solo dinner, a casual family meal, or even a small get-together with friends, this recipe hits the spot. It’s fancy enough to impress but simple enough to keep it chill and relaxed.

What To Serve With Grilled Chicken Caprese

Simple Arugula Salad
A peppery arugula salad tossed with lemon juice and olive oil adds a refreshing, slightly spicy balance. Keeping with the grill theme, this easy Grilled Romaine Lettuce Salad with Fig Vinaigrette is also a great compliment to this recipe.

Garlic Bread
Crunchy garlic bread is perfect for mopping up the olive oil and balsamic glaze. If you have a little extra time, this Cheesy, Bloomin’ Crusty Italian Bread is a fun, delicious alternative. I also love this Garlic Rosemary Foccacia Bread.

Grilled Vegetables
Zucchini, bell peppers, onions, broccolini and asparagus grilled alongside the chicken make for a colorful, healthy side. I do this nearly every time we grill using whatever veggies I happen to have on hand.

Roasted or Grilled Potatoes
If you are using an outdoor grill, these Foil Packet Grilled Potatoes cook right beside your chicken breasts while grilling. If you are indoors using an indoor grill pan, these Parmesan Oven Roasted Potatoes are a great alternative to round out the meal.

Freezing & Storing Leftovers

My recommendation is that you do not freeze any leftovers. The tomatoes will not stand up to freezing and will break down.

To Store:
Keep leftovers covered in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

How To Reheat

Oven Method
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place chicken on a baking sheet and loosely cover with foil. Heat for 10-15 minutes until warmed through, ensuring the cheese softens without drying out.

Microwave Method
Place chicken on a microwave-safe plate, cover with wax or parchment paper (so the cheese doesn’t stick), and heat in 30-second bursts until warm. 

 

Recommended Equipment

Tips and Tricks

• Pounding the chicken breasts out will help them to cook through quicker as well as allowing more room for the caprese toppings.
• The best way to pound out the chicken breasts, is to place each chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap or in a zip lock bag and pound with either a meat mallet or rolling pin.
• My favorite brand of basil pesto is Kirkland’s from Costco. It has a looser consistency than other brands I’ve tried, making it easier to spread on top of the chicken.
• My preference is to use roma tomatoes. They are smaller and so they fit better on top of the chicken breasts.
• Make sure your grill is fully heated before grilling the chicken, which will insure that the meat gets a nice sear. And, if you put a little olive oil on a paper towel and wipe the grill grates ahead of time, it will help the chicken to not stick to the grill.
• To dress up this recipe even more, add a drizzle of balsamic glaze to the finished chicken right before serving.

Ingredients Needed to Make Grilled Chicken Caprese

Full instructions can be found below in the printable recipe card

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – These work well for this recipe because they’re typically larger than chicken thighs, so there’s more room for the caprese toppings.
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Prepared basil pesto – My favorite brand is Kirkland’s from Costco.
• Roma tomatoes – Because of their smaller size (as compared to a beefsteak tomato) they fit better on top of the chicken breasts.
• Fresh mozzarella cheese – You can substitute shredded part-skim mozzarella, but I do prefer using the fresh mozzarella cheese. It melts well and has mild flavor and a creamy texture.
• Fresh basil – This adds both brightness to the flavor and a nice pop of color.

How to Make Grilled Chicken Caprese

• Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill to medium heat.
• Pound out each chicken breast until they have a uniform, even thickness.
• Season chicken with salt and pepper.
• Grill chicken for 4 minutes.
• Turn chicken over and spread pesto on top of each piece.
• Top each chicken breast with tomato slices and fresh mozzarella slices.
• If you’re cooking on a grill pan, tent the chicken with foil so the cheese melts more quickly and evenly. If you’re on the outdoor grill, just put the grill cover down.
• Grill until chicken is cooked through and cheese has melted. This will be approximately 4-5 more minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches about 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Take chicken off the grill, let rest for a few minutes then sprinkle with basil and serve.

ENJOY!