Caprese Chicken with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

Ingredients

• 2 pieces chicken breast
• 250 g cherry tomatoes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar(optional)
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 120 g mozzarella
• 10 g fresh basil

Instructions

1. 1

   Prep (10 minutes): Pat chicken dry and season both sides with salt and black pepper. Mince the garlic and roughly chop the basil. Halve the cherry tomatoes.

2. 2

   Roast in skillet (about 10 minutes): Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cherry tomatoes and a pinch of salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until blistered and starting to burst, about 8–10 minutes. Stir in garlic for 30 seconds, then add balsamic vinegar (if using) and toss to coat.

3. 3

   Sear chicken (about 10 minutes): Push tomatoes to one side of the skillet. Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and place chicken in the empty space. Sear 4–5 minutes per side until browned and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C).

4. 4

   Finish (about 5 minutes): Spoon tomatoes over/around the chicken. Top chicken with mozzarella and cover the skillet until mozzarella melts, about 2–3 minutes. Turn off heat, scatter basil over the top, and serve immediately.