Name: Ground Chicken Caprese
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; ½ cup diced onion; 1 tablespoon chopped garlic; 2 pounds ground chicken; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; ½ teaspoon dried oregano; ½ teaspoon dried basil; ½ teaspoon dried parsley; 8 ounces tomato or marinara sauce; 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar; 8 ounces mozzarella pearls; 10 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved; Fresh chopped basil, for garnish; Balsamic glaze, for garnish; Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish

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A weeknight-friendly twist on Caprese classics—this recipe uses ground chicken for a hearty yet light dish, topped with juicy cherry tomatoes, melted mozzarella pearls, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

Why I’ll Love This Recipe

I adore how fast this comes together—just about 15 minutes from start to finish. It hits all the best flavor notes of a Caprese salad (tomato, mozzarella, basil), but with the comfort of cooked ground chicken. The roasted tomatoes and melty cheese give it a welcoming, almost party-worthy look even on a busy night.

ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

1 tablespoon olive oil
½ cup diced onion
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
2 pounds ground chicken
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon dried parsley
8 ounces tomato or marinara sauce
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
8 ounces mozzarella pearls
10 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
Fresh chopped basil, balsamic glaze, and grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

directions

Preheat the oven to 500 °F.
Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion for about 5 minutes until softened, then stir in garlic and cook another minute.
Add ground chicken, breaking it up as it cooks until fully done. Drain any excess liquid.
Season with salt, oregano, basil, and parsley. Pour in tomato sauce and balsamic vinegar, stirring to combine.
Scatter mozzarella pearls and halved cherry tomatoes evenly over the chicken mixture.
Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 7–8 minutes, or until cheese is melted and tomatoes are blistered.
Garnish with fresh basil, a drizzle of balsamic glaze, and grated Parmesan. Serve right from the skillet.

Servings and timing

Yield: 6 servings
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes

Variations

Swap the ground chicken for ground turkey for a flavor twist. Ground beef works too, though slightly richer.
No mozzarella pearls? Cut fresh mozzarella into bite-size pieces or roughly tear a ball of mozzarella.
Add baby spinach or white beans for extra nutrition.

storage/reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through. The skillet presentation loses some oomph after reheating, but the flavor holds up beautifully.

FAQs

What can I use instead of balsamic glaze?

I reduce regular balsamic vinegar on the stovetop until it thickens into a syrup, or buy pre-made glaze for convenience.

Can I use a different protein?

Absolutely! Ground turkey or even a plant-based crumble work wonderfully here.

Is 500 °F safe for my oven-safe skillet?

Yes—as long as my skillet is oven-safe (like cast iron), it handles 500 °F just fine. This high heat helps blister tomatoes and melt cheese quickly.

Can I serve this over pasta?

Definitely! I like spooning the saucy chicken mixture over cooked pasta (farfalle is a great match) for a more filling meal.

How can I make this kid-friendly or less savory?

I skip or reduce the balsamic vinegar and glaze for a less tangy version. Adding spinach or beans also gives it more color and a mild flavor appeal.

Conclusion

This Ground Chicken Caprese is a true weeknight win—I love how it looks impressive yet cooks in just 15 minutes. I get the bright freshness of Caprese, the warmth of a skillet meal, and the ease of ground chicken. It’s perfect solo, over pasta, or right from the pan with family. I can easily tweak it to my taste or fridge supplies, but the classic combo is hard to beat.