Chicken Caprese is a simple and tasty air fryer dish. Juicy chicken breasts are cut with small pockets and filled with fresh tomato slices and melted mozzarella cheese. At the end, the chicken is topped with a sweet and tangy balsamic glaze and fresh basil leaves. This meal is perfect for two people but you can easily make more for a family.
Why Use an Air Fryer?
The air fryer cooks chicken quickly and uses less energy than an oven. It keeps the chicken juicy and tender in less than 30 minutes. The stuffed mozzarella and tomatoes get warm and melty inside, making the chicken extra delicious.
What Is Chicken Caprese?
This dish is inspired by the classic Italian Caprese salad, which has tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and balsamic vinegar. Here, those ingredients are combined with chicken to make a filling and tasty meal.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or mix: 1 tsp oregano + 1 tsp basil + ½ tsp thyme + ½ tsp marjoram + ½ tsp rosemary)
- 2 oz (55 gm) mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 1 large tomato, sliced into half-moons
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Make Balsamic Glaze:
In a small pan, heat balsamic vinegar and brown sugar on medium heat.
Bring to a boil, then let it simmer until thick and reduced by half.
Remove from heat and let it cool. - Prepare Chicken:
Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
On a cutting board, carefully make 4-5 small slits in each chicken breast. Cut only 3/4 through, don’t cut all the way.
Season the chicken well with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning, both outside and inside the slits.
Drizzle olive oil on top. - Cook Chicken in Air Fryer:
Preheat air fryer to 350°F (180°C) for 5 minutes.
Lightly brush the air fryer basket with olive oil.
Place chicken breasts inside. Cook for 6 minutes.
Flip the chicken and cook for another 6 minutes. - Stuff and Finish Cooking:
Take the chicken out. Carefully stuff each slit with slices of mozzarella and tomato.
Put chicken back into air fryer. Cook for 2 more minutes or until the cheese melts and chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) inside. - Serve:
Drizzle balsamic glaze over chicken.
Sprinkle fresh chopped basil on top. Serve immediately while hot.
Tips & Tricks
- Use a meat thermometer to check chicken is fully cooked (165°F / 74°C).
- If you use bone-in chicken breasts, cooking time will be longer by about 5 minutes.
- Slightly aged mozzarella melts better than fresh. Provolone cheese works too.
- Use a firm, ripe tomato for best taste.
- Balsamic glaze can be stored in the fridge and reheated gently if needed.
Easy Chicken Caprese (Air Fryer)
Description:
Tender chicken breasts stuffed with tomato and mozzarella, cooked in the air fryer and topped with balsamic glaze and fresh basil. A quick, tasty meal for two.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 oz mozzarella (sliced)
- 1 large tomato (sliced)
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Heat balsamic vinegar and brown sugar until thick and syrupy. Cool.
- Make small cuts in chicken breasts. Season inside and outside with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Drizzle with olive oil.
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (180°C). Cook chicken 6 minutes each side.
- Stuff chicken slits with mozzarella and tomato. Cook 2 more minutes until cheese melts and chicken is done.
- Drizzle balsamic glaze on top and add fresh basil. Serve hot.
Notes
- Check chicken temperature with a meat thermometer.
- Cook longer for bone-in chicken.
- Use firm tomato and aged mozzarella for best results.
