Imagine everything you crave about summer—ripe peaches, juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fresh basil—swirled together in one show-stopping dish. Skillet Caprese Peach Chicken is my go-to when I want dinner to feel special, outrageously flavorful, and blissfully simple (with hardly any cleanup!).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bursting with Summer Flavor: Every bite balances sweet, tangy, and savory, thanks to juicy peaches and classic Caprese elements.
- Crowd-Pleasing but Effortless: This one-skillet wonder looks and tastes impressive, but it’s easy enough for any night of the week.
- Minimal Cleanup: Everything happens in the same pan for a stress-free, streamlined cooking (and washing up!) process.
- Versatile and Adaptable: Perfect for using whatever summer fruit or cheese you have on hand, and easy to tailor to almost any diet.
Ingredients You’ll Need
I bet you already have most of these in your kitchen! Each ingredient in Skillet Caprese Peach Chicken pulls its weight—making the chicken juicy, the sauce rich, and every forkful vibrant and colorful.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Slice into cutlets so they cook quickly and stay tender.
- Salt and pepper: The essential foundation for flavor in both the chicken and veggies.
- Unsalted butter: Adds rich, golden flavor and helps everything brown just right.
- Extra-virgin olive oil: For that classic Mediterranean savoriness and a glossy, beautiful finish on your chicken.
- Peaches: Slightly firm, ripe peaches sear up caramelized and sweet—don’t skip this summer star!
- Tomatoes: Choose ripe, flavorful tomatoes for the juiciest bite—heirloom or vine-ripened always win.
- Fresh mozzarella: Melty, creamy, and the heart of any true Caprese, slice thick for ultimate cheesiness.
- Balsamic glaze: Adds a tangy, syrupy punch—store-bought works, or you can reduce your own balsamic vinegar.
- Fresh basil: Don’t hold back—pile on for the freshest, most aromatic finish.
Variations
Don’t be afraid to riff on this dish! Skillet Caprese Peach Chicken is incredibly flexible, so you can personalize it based on what’s fresh, in-season, or already stocked in your pantry.
- Dairy-Free Caprese: Swap in a plant-based mozzarella or try a creamy cashew cheese for a dairy-free twist.
- Stone Fruit Swap: No peaches? Nectarines or plums will give you all the juicy-sweet satisfaction.
- Herb Boosted: Add a sprinkle of fresh oregano or thyme with the basil for even more herby fragrance.
- Grilled Version: Fire up your grill for the chicken and peaches—then finish everything in a skillet for gooey mozzarella magic.
How to Make Skillet Caprese Peach Chicken
Step 1: Prep and Season the Chicken
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels for golden-brown searing. Slice each one in half width-wise—this gives you perfectly thin cutlets that cook quickly and evenly. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper to lock in flavor.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Melt 1 tablespoon butter with the olive oil in your large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. When hot (the butter should sizzle), add the chicken cutlets in a single layer. Cook 3–5 minutes per side, flipping only when a golden crust forms. Remove to a plate, tent loosely to keep warm.
Step 3: Sear the Peaches
In the same skillet, add your last tablespoon of butter. Once melted, toss in the peach wedges. Sear them for about 2 minutes, turning gently so all sides get a little caramelized and fragrant, but the fruit stays intact and juicy. This makes all the difference!
Step 4: Assemble and Layer Up
Remove your skillet from the heat. Arrange the seared chicken cutlets and tomato wedges all around the golden peaches. Top each piece of chicken generously with slices of creamy mozzarella—don’t worry if things overlap, it’ll just be extra gooey!
Step 5: Broil to Finish
Slide the skillet under your oven’s broiler, positioning it a few inches from the element. Broil for 1–2 minutes (keep a close eye!) until the mozzarella is gorgeously melted and just starting to brown in spots. Remove from the oven, and you’re ready to finish with fun!
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Drizzle generously with balsamic glaze and scatter over the minced fresh basil. Now’s the moment to call everyone to the table—Skillet Caprese Peach Chicken is best served warm, with melted cheese, juicy fruit, and that punchy glaze in every dreamy forkful.
Pro Tips for Making Skillet Caprese Peach Chicken
- Peach Perfection: Use peaches that are just barely soft—they’ll sear beautifully without turning mushy in the skillet.
- Chicken Cutlet Shortcut: If your chicken breasts are uneven, give them a gentle pound with a mallet to even out the thickness—this ensures juicy, even cooking!
- Broiler Watch: Stay close when broiling—the mozzarella can go from melty to overdone in a flash, so keep a close eye.
- Make Your Own Balsamic Glaze: For extra depth, simmer balsamic vinegar with a splash of honey until thickened—homemade glaze is pure magic drizzled over Caprese Peach Chicken.
How to Serve Skillet Caprese Peach Chicken
Garnishes
For a gorgeous finish, I love an extra scatter of fresh basil ribbons, a dusting of cracked black pepper, and just a hint more balsamic glaze. If you’re feeling playful, add a few toasted pine nuts or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for crunch and pop.
Side Dishes
This dish begs to be served with something that soaks up its luscious juices—think crusty artisan bread, fluffy herbed couscous, or a tangle of buttered noodles. A simple green salad with lemony vinaigrette makes a bright, refreshing sidekick to all that creamy cheese and sweet fruit.
Creative Ways to Present
For a summer gathering, serve Skillet Caprese Peach Chicken right from your prettiest skillet—let everyone help themselves for a rustic, convivial feel. Or, slice the chicken and layer it with peaches and mozzarella on toasted baguette rounds for elegant crostini appetizers. Leftover chicken and fruit make an epic salad tossed with arugula, balsamic, and toasted nuts!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The flavors actually deepen a bit overnight, and it’s just as dreamy cold on a salad or gently rewarmed for lunch.
Freezing
While you technically can freeze Skillet Caprese Peach Chicken, the fresh mozzarella and peaches may change texture when thawed. For best results, enjoy this dish fresh or refrigerate short term—if you must freeze, wrap tightly and thaw in the fridge before reheating gently.
Reheating
To reheat, place leftover chicken and fruit in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and warm at 300°F until heated through. If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works too—just use low power and watch that the cheese doesn’t overcook.
FAQs
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Can I use nectarines or another fruit instead of peaches?
Absolutely! Nectarines, plums, or even apricots can step in for peaches—they’ll bring their own unique flavor and still pair beautifully with the Caprese flavors. Just choose fruit that’s firm but ripe for the best pan-sear.
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Do I have to use fresh mozzarella, or can I substitute another cheese?
Fresh mozzarella is classic for Skillet Caprese Peach Chicken, giving you that gorgeous melt and creamy bite. But in a pinch, torn burrata or even slices of provolone can work—just use what you love and have on hand.
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What’s the best way to make balsamic glaze at home?
Simply simmer 1 cup balsamic vinegar with 2–3 tablespoons honey or brown sugar in a small saucepan until thick and syrupy (about 10–15 minutes). Let it cool and use liberally over your Caprese Peach Chicken!
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Is Skillet Caprese Peach Chicken gluten-free?
Yes! The core recipe is naturally gluten-free—just double-check your balsamic glaze for additives or make your own to be certain.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about Skillet Caprese Peach Chicken—fresh, juicy, melty, tangy, sweet, and oh-so-satisfying. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and make it a new favorite in your summer (or anytime!) dinner rotation. Here’s to meals that bring sunshine to your table, one skillet at a time!
PrintSkillet Caprese Peach Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Skillet, Broil
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Skillet Caprese Peach Chicken recipe combines the flavors of juicy peaches, ripe tomatoes, melted mozzarella, and tender chicken breasts, all finished with a balsamic glaze and fresh basil for a delightful meal.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 medium)
- Salt and pepper for seasoning
Other Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 medium peaches, pitted, and sliced into 1-in wedges
- 2 medium tomatoes, cored and sliced into 1-in wedges
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella, cut into slices
- Balsamic glaze for drizzling
- 1/4 cup firmly-packed fresh minced basil
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Pat chicken dry, cut into thin cutlets, and season with salt and pepper.
- Sear Chicken: Sear chicken in a skillet until cooked through. Set aside.
- Sear Peaches: Sear peach wedges in the same skillet until browned.
- Assemble: Arrange chicken, tomato slices, and mozzarella in the skillet.
- Broil: Melt mozzarella under the broiler.
- Finish: Drizzle with balsamic glaze and fresh basil before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 110mg