Baked Caprese Chicken

By cindyandmojo

Amazingly crisp-tender chicken baked with melted mozzarella and topped with juicy tomatoes, fresh basil and balsamic reduction!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 8 slices
• 2 Roma tomatoes, sliced
• 1/4 cup basil leaves, chiffonade
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed

Details

Servings 8
Preparation time 15mins
Cooking time 50mins
Adapted from damndelicious.net

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

To make the balsamic reduction, add balsamic vinegar and brown sugar to a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a slight boil and reduce by half, about 6-8 minutes; set aside and let cool.

In a small bowl, combine olive oil, basil and oregano; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Using your fingers or a brush, work the mixture onto both sides of the chicken.

Melt butter in a large oven-proof skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken, skin-side down, and sear both sides until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side; drain excess fat.

Place into oven and roast until the chicken is completely cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 25-30 minutes. Top each chicken with mozzarella cheese. Then broil for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese has melted completely.

Serve immediately, topped with tomatoes, drizzled with balsamic reduction and garnished with basil, if desired.