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This Caprese Chicken and Rice brings juicy chicken, melty mozzarella, and all the fresh, tangy flavors of a Caprese salad—made in just one pan. It’s cozy, satisfying, and weeknight-friendly with a bold, herby twist.
👉 Love Italian-inspired dinners? Try my Italian Grinder Pasta Salad or my Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Sandwiches!
Table of Contents
- Why This Recipe Stands Out!
- 🔍 Quick Look: Caprese Chicken and Rice
- Step-by-Step Recipe Video
- Simple Ingredients
- Main Ingredients
- Rest of the Ingredients
- Substitutions & Additions
- Recipe Tips
- How To Make Caprese Chicken and Rice
- Recipe FAQs
- Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating
- More Great One Pot Recipes:
- Caprese Chicken and Rice Recipe
Why This Recipe Stands Out!
This recipe blends everything you love about Caprese salad—tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, balsamic—into a warm, hearty chicken-and-rice skillet. It’s weeknight easy, but impressive enough for guests.
Pair it with a fresh side like my Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad or these easy Pizza Cups.
🔍 Quick Look: Caprese Chicken and Rice
This is a comfort food spin on a classic Caprese. Instead of just a salad, you’re getting tender chicken, fluffy rice, and melty cheese with basil pesto and balsamic vinegar for that authentic Italian touch.
- ⏰ Ready In: 35 minutes
- 🛒 Key Ingredients: Chicken, Mozzarella, Basil Pesto
- 🍽️ Servings: 4
- 👩🍳 Difficulty: Easy
- 🧊 Make-Ahead Friendly: Stores 3–4 days in the fridge
👉 Goes perfectly alongside my Quick Potluck Salad Collection.
Step-by-Step Recipe Video
Simple Ingredients
You don’t need anything fancy—just chicken, rice, and a few Italian pantry staples. Just like my Tomato Parmesan Orzo with Chicken and Spinach, this one takes basic ingredients and makes them feel special.
Main Ingredients
- Protein: Use boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into even cubes for quick cooking. Thighs also work if you want more flavor.
- Rice: Long-grain white rice works best here. Always rinse before cooking to remove excess starch.
- Cheese: Use shredded mozzarella for quick melting. Fresh mozzarella pearls can also be added just before serving for extra creaminess.
- Basil Pesto: Adds a bold, herby twist. Homemade pesto works beautifully if you have it.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Brings depth and tang. Use a good-quality balsamic for the best flavor.
Rest of the Ingredients
- olive oil
- minced garlic
- Salt and pepper
- dried basil
- diced tomatoes
- chicken broth
A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Additions
- Rice: Swap with brown rice (increase cook time) or orzo for variety.
- Cheese: Try provolone or Parmesan instead of mozzarella.
- Add-ins: Spinach, zucchini, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra veggies. Need to sneak more veggies into your recipes? Start with my Hidden Veggie Chocolate Muffins!
For all substitutions and additions I’ve noted for this recipe, please see the recipe card below.
My Pro Tips
Recipe Tips
- Stir the rice frequently to prevent sticking.
- Simmer covered until rice is tender, then fluff with a fork.
- Add cheese right at the end so it melts without clumping.
- For stronger basil flavor, stir in extra pesto after cooking.
How To Make Caprese Chicken and Rice
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot. Once hot, add cubed chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook through.
- Add dried basil and minced garlic; stir about 20 seconds until fragrant.
- Add chicken broth, diced tomatoes, pesto, and balsamic vinegar. Bring to a simmer.
- Stir in rinsed white rice. Simmer uncovered 5 minutes, then cover and cook 5–10 more minutes, stirring frequently, until rice is tender.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top, let melt, then serve. Try my mozzarella stuffed mini meatloafs!
See the recipe card for full information on how to make this recipe.
Recipe FAQs
Yes—just increase the cook time and add extra broth.
Absolutely—they’ll add even more flavor, but adjust cook time slightly.
Skip it or use extra dried basil + olive oil.
Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in portions up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Add a splash of broth to prevent rice from drying.
👉 If you’re into freezer-friendly dinners, check out my 20 Easy Freezer Meals.
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Caprese Chicken and Rice
Ingredients
- 2 tbs olive oil
- 1 lb chicken breast cubed
- 3 tsp minced garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ tsp dried basil
- 14 oz diced tomatoes
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 tbs basil pesto
- 1 tbs balsamic vinegar
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice, rinsed
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot. Once hot, add cubed chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook through.2 tbs olive oil, 1 lb chicken breast cubed, Salt and pepper to taste
- Add dried basil and minced garlic; stir about 20 seconds until fragrant.1/2 tsp dried basil, 3 tsp minced garlic
- Add chicken broth, diced tomatoes, pesto, and balsamic vinegar. Bring to a simmer.14 oz diced tomatoes, 1 1/2 cups chicken broth, 1 tbs basil pesto, 1 tbs balsamic vinegar
- Stir in rinsed white rice. Simmer uncovered 5 minutes, then cover and cook 5–10 more minutes, stirring frequently, until rice is tender.1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top, let melt, then serve.1 cup mozzarella cheese
Video
Notes
- Substitutions: brown rice (longer cook time), orzo, spinach, zucchini, provolone.
- Storage: refrigerate 3–4 days, freeze up to 2 months.
- Reheat: with a splash of broth to keep moist.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hi! Would it be the same instructions if I used brown rice instead of white for this??