Keto Chicken Caprese – This low carb chicken caprese is a perfect blend of juicy chicken, fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, fragrant basil, and a tangy balsamic reduction.
Why You’ll Love This Keto Chicken Caprese
This dish is a total winner for several reasons:
- Keto-Friendly: With its low-carb ingredients, this recipe fits seamlessly into your ketogenic diet.
- Packed with Flavor: The combination of fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomatoes with juicy chicken is a flavor explosion.
- Simple and Quick: It takes less than 30 minutes to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Versatile: There are numerous variations and tips you can try to personalize this dish according to your taste.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Keto Chicken Caprese
- Pound Your Chicken Evenly: For uniform cooking, consider pounding your chicken breasts to even thickness. This ensures the chicken cooks evenly and remains juicy.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh mozzarella, basil, and ripe tomatoes are key to making this dish taste vibrant and flavorful.
- Don’t Skip Resting: Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before topping it with mozzarella and tomatoes to keep the juices inside the meat.
- Add Garlic for Extra Flavor: Adding a bit of minced garlic to the olive oil when cooking the chicken elevates the flavor.
- Make It Cheesy: For those who love cheese, feel free to add a bit more mozzarella or even Parmesan for a sharper flavor profile.
Variations on Keto Chicken Caprese
Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Caprese: For a savory twist, wrap the chicken breasts in bacon before cooking. This adds a salty crunch to each bite while keeping it keto-friendly.
Grilled Keto Chicken Caprese: Fire up the grill! Instead of pan-searing, grill your chicken breasts for a smoky flavor. You can grill the tomatoes slightly too for added depth.
Pesto Chicken Caprese: Swap out the fresh basil leaves with a drizzle of keto-friendly pesto for an extra hit of herbaceous goodness.
Caprese with Avocado: Add some sliced avocado to the mix for extra creaminess and healthy fats, which fit perfectly within a keto diet.
How to Serve Keto Chicken Caprese
This dish is quite versatile and pairs well with a variety of low-carb side dishes. Here are a few serving ideas:
- With Zucchini Noodles: Zoodles make a great light side that complements the rich flavors of the Caprese.
- On a Bed of Greens: Serve the chicken over a bed of arugula or spinach for a fresh, low-carb salad.
- With Cauliflower Rice: For a more filling meal, cauliflower rice adds texture and soaks up all the delicious juices from the chicken.
How to Store Keto Chicken Caprese
If you have leftovers, here’s how to store them:
In the Freezer: While fresh Caprese is always best, you can freeze the cooked chicken breasts (without the tomato and mozzarella) for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge and add fresh toppings before reheating.
In the Refrigerator: Store the leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or in a skillet over low heat to prevent the chicken from drying out.
Recipe FAQs
Is balsamic vinegar keto-friendly?
Traditional balsamic vinegar contains sugars, which can add up quickly. However, you can find keto-friendly balsamic reductions in stores or make your own by reducing balsamic vinegar with a keto-friendly sweetener.
Can I make this dish dairy-free?
Yes! Simply omit the mozzarella or replace it with a dairy-free alternative. While it won’t have the same creamy texture, the chicken and tomatoes alone still make for a tasty dish.
Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can cook the chicken and prepare the toppings ahead of time. When ready to serve, simply assemble and warm it up in a skillet or oven.
What’s the best way to get the mozzarella to melt perfectly?
Covering the skillet with a lid for a few minutes after adding the mozzarella will trap the heat and help the cheese melt smoothly over the chicken and tomatoes.
Keto Chicken Caprese (Low Carb)
If you're on a keto journey, you probably know the importance of finding meals that not only adhere to your low-carb needs but also burst with flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 small chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar glaze + more for drizzling
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 4 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced
Instructions
- Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Sprinkle both sides of the chicken breasts with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper for added flavor.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter.
- Once the butter melts and begins to sizzle, place the chicken breasts in the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until lightly browned.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Add the chicken broth to the hot skillet, scraping up the brown bits from the bottom (this adds great flavor!). Let the broth simmer for 5-6 minutes until it reduces by half. Then, stir in the balsamic glaze and remaining tablespoon of butter.
- Return the chicken to the skillet, making sure each side gets coated with the balsamic reduction.
- Add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet around the chicken. Top each chicken breast with a slice of fresh mozzarella.
- Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Once the chicken is cooked through, remove the skillet from the oven. Top with fresh basil and drizzle more balsamic glaze over the chicken before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 368Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 136mgSodium: 696mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 1gSugar: 10gProtein: 44g
Chickenrecipes.blog, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thoughts
This Keto Chicken Caprese is more than just a recipe; it’s a quick, flavorful, and satisfying meal that checks all the boxes for anyone following a keto lifestyle. With its vibrant ingredients and versatility, it’s a dish you’ll want to make again and again. Plus, the simple preparation and minimal clean-up make it ideal for weeknight dinners.
Check out my other delicious keto recipes:
