Caprese Chicken Thigh Bake brings all the beloved, juicy flavors from the beloved appetizer and transforms them into something hearty enough to enjoy as a main course! This delicious modification comes about by placing the celebrated tangy balsamic vinegar, creamy mozzarella cheese, sweet tomato, and fresh basil quartet on top of some crispy, savory chicken thighs, and seriously, it’s just the best! Who knew our favorite app could get any better?! Caprese Chicken Thigh Bake adds some protein and brings all kinds of fulfilling fun!
Ingredients
- sea salt, to taste
- freshly cracked pepper, to taste
- garlic powder, to taste
- dried oregano, to taste
- dried basil, to taste
- 4 chicken thighs, boneless and skinless, excess fat trimmed off
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 slices tomato, thickly sliced
- 4 slices mozzarella, thickly sliced
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- fresh basil leaves, to taste, for topping
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Step 2 –In a small bowl, combine the sea salt, the freshly cracked pepper, the garlic powder, the oregano, and the dried basil.
Step 3 –Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over both sides of the chicken thighs.
Step 4 –Heat the olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 5 –Add the chicken thighs to the skillet and cook until golden-brown, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 6 –Flip the chicken thighs and bake them for 15 minutes.
Step 7 –Place 1 slice of tomato and 1 slice of mozzarella on top of each of the chicken thighs.
Step 8 –Bake the caprese chicken thighs until a thermometer inserted into the center of the chicken reads at least 175 degrees F, about 5 minutes.
Step 9 –In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the balsamic vinegar and bring to a boil. Cook until it reduces down and coats the back of a spoon, about 3-5 minutes.
Step 10 –Drizzle the balsamic vinegar reduction over the caprese chicken thighs.
Step 11 –Top the caprese chicken thighs with the fresh basil leaves.
Step 12 –Serve immediately.
