Caprese Chicken Zucchini Skillet

If there’s one thing I adore more than a delicious chicken dinner, it’s a dinner that feels like summer sunshine on a plate—without leaving me elbow-deep in dishes. That’s why this Caprese Chicken Zucchini Skillet has totally stolen my heart.

Quick, colorful, and bursting with fresh flavors, this one-skillet wonder is perfect for those evenings when you’re juggling work, hungry kids, and the “what’s for dinner?” dilemma.

Let’s dive into this juicy, cheesy, veggie-packed meal that’s guaranteed to make your kitchen smell like an Italian trattoria—and might just earn you a round of applause at the dinner table!

Why You’ll Love This Caprese Chicken Zucchini Skillet

• Fast & fuss-free: Ready in about 30 minutes, start to finish.
• Summer flavors: Juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and creamy mozzarella. Need I say more?
• One-pan magic: Minimal cleanup means more time for you (or that glass of wine).
• Healthy but satisfying: Packed with lean protein and veggies, yet tastes totally indulgent.
• Versatile: Works beautifully with either chicken breasts or thighs, and any color zucchini.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll want to gather for your Caprese Chicken Zucchini Skillet:

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Either works like a charm and pairs beautifully with delicate zucchini.
• Zucchini or squash: Dark green, light green, or yellow—truly, any summer squash will do! Just aim for smaller, thinner squash for a total of about 2 pounds.
• Fresh or canned tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes give the best, brightest flavor as they cook into a luscious sauce. But if convenience calls, a 28 oz can of diced tomatoes (drained) is a great stand-in.
• Fresh mozzarella cheese: Buffalo or fresh mozzarella—the kind that comes as a soft log in brine—is the classic choice for anything Caprese. Check your deli section for this creamy delight.
• Fresh basil: This is non-negotiable for real Caprese flavor. If basil’s not your thing, fresh parsley makes a tasty swap.
• Fresh garlic cloves: Always minced fresh for maximum flavor!
• Pantry staples: Balsamic vinegar for sweet depth, dried oregano for that Italian zing, plus salt and pepper to taste.

How to Make Caprese Chicken Zucchini Skillet

This dish moves quickly, so a little prep up front makes everything smooth sailing!

1. Get Your Ingredients Ready

• Chop the zucchini (or squash) into uniform pieces so they cook evenly.
• Mince the garlic.
• Slice or chop the fresh tomatoes, if using.
• Drain canned tomatoes well if that’s your choice.
• Slice the mozzarella into rounds or cubes.

Trust me—having everything chopped and ready makes you feel like a Food Network star.

2. Pick the Right Skillet

Grab a large skillet, at least 12” wide (I use a 14” pan for plenty of space). A bigger pan makes this recipe so much easier because you’ll be cooking chicken and sauce side by side.

3. Cook the Chicken

• Heat a drizzle of oil in your skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add your chicken and cook about 10 minutes, flipping halfway, until it’s golden on the outside and mostly cooked through.
• Push the chicken over to one side of the skillet. (This is where your big pan shines!)

4. Make the Tomato Sauce

• On the empty side of the pan, add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
• Add tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper.
• Let it simmer until the tomatoes break down into a quick homemade sauce. Stir occasionally.

Pro tip: Keep that side of the pan directly over the burner so your sauce bubbles nicely.

5. Add the Zucchini

• Stir the chopped zucchini into the tomato sauce.
• Mix the chicken back into the sauce and veggies.
• Cover the skillet and let it cook for about 12 minutes. Don’t peek! Let the steam work its magic.

6. Melt the Cheese

• Sprinkle mozzarella over the chicken and veggies.
• Cover again and cook for another 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey. No peeking allowed—patience pays off!

Aneta’s Tips for the Perfect Caprese Chicken Zucchini Skillet

• Don’t overcook the zucchini. You want it tender but still slightly crisp for the perfect bite.
• Try chicken thighs for extra juiciness. They stay tender and add amazing flavor.
• Fresh basil is key. Dried just doesn’t have the same pop.
• Feel free to swap veggies. Bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach would all be fabulous here.
• Make it spicy. A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes adds a fun kick if your crew likes heat!

This dish became my lifesaver last summer during zucchini overload season. My kids called it “pizza chicken” because of the gooey cheese and tomato sauce—and suddenly, zucchini wasn’t the enemy anymore!

FAQs About Caprese Chicken Zucchini Skillet

Let’s Make Dinner Magic!

This Caprese Chicken Zucchini Skillet is everything I love about summer cooking: simple, colorful, and bursting with fresh flavors. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family on a weeknight or just want to feel like you’re dining al fresco in Italy, this dish brings the magic right to your kitchen.

So grab your skillet and give this recipe a whirl. And hey—don’t be surprised if you find yourself making it on repeat.

More Delicious Chicken Recipes You’ll Love

If you’re craving even more fresh and flavorful ideas after whipping up this Caprese Chicken Zucchini Skillet, here are some mouthwatering dishes from Chicken Magic Recipes that you won’t want to miss:

• Try another skillet superstar with this veggie-packed Chicken and Vegetables Skillet for an easy weeknight dinner full of color and crunch.
• Keep the zucchini love going with my Healthy Chicken Breast with Zucchini and Squash — perfect if you’re aiming for lighter meals bursting with summer freshness.
• If you’re swooning over that balsamic and mozzarella combo, don’t miss the irresistible flavors in my Balsamic Baked Chicken Breast with Mozzarella Cheese for a cheesy, tangy delight.
• Or explore Mediterranean vibes with the vibrant Sheet Pan Mediterranean Chicken and Zucchini — another fabulous one-pan option brimming with herbs and veggies.

These recipes are perfect next stops on your chicken magic journey — happy cooking!

Caprese Chicken Zucchini Skillet

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

• Author: Aneta
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Caprese Chicken Zucchini Skillet is a fresh, cheesy one-pan meal bursting with juicy chicken, vibrant veggies, melty mozzarella, and basil. Ready in 30 minutes for a perfect weeknight dinner!

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, chopped

• 2 lbs zucchini or summer squash, chopped

• 3 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped (or 28 oz canned diced tomatoes, drained)

• 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• Fresh basil, chopped, for garnish

• Optional: fresh parsley as substitute for basil

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prep and chop all ingredients before starting.

2. Heat olive oil in a large (12-14”) skillet over medium-high heat.

3. Add chicken pieces and cook for about 10 minutes until golden and mostly cooked through. Push chicken to one side of the skillet.

4. Add minced garlic to the empty side of the pan and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.

5. Add tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook until tomatoes break down into a sauce, stirring occasionally.

6. Stir chopped zucchini into the tomato mixture, then mix chicken back in.

7. Cover and cook for 12 minutes without lifting the lid.

8. Uncover, add mozzarella slices evenly over the top. Cover again and cook 5 minutes until cheese is melted.

9. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

Notes

For extra juiciness, use chicken thighs instead of breasts.
Don’t overcook the zucchini — you want it tender-crisp.
Red pepper flakes add a spicy kick if you like heat.
Substitute fresh parsley if you’re out of basil.

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Skillet
• Cuisine: Italian-Inspired

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 410 kcal
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 580 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 42 g
• Cholesterol: 105 mg