➤ story and photos by KALEA MARTÍN
Pastas, salads, and… pasta salads. That’s pretty much all the recipe inspo you’ll find if you look up “what to do with cherry tomatoes” on TikTok or Pinterest. And don’t get me wrong, a big bowl of Ina Garten’s famous Summer Garden Pasta is one of my favorite ways to use up cherry tomatoes. But on days where I want to EAT, these caprese chicken cutlets is where it’s at. They’re hearty enough for a big dinner, but still highlight the fresh, summery flavors that make cherry tomatoes so good in the first place.
Related: Summer Dinner is Served: Lemon Basil Chicken Cutlets & Peach Burrata Salad (RECIPE)
How to make caprese chicken cutlets
Don’t let the name intimidate you, this dish is nothing fancy. Essentially it’s a basic chicken cutlet topped with caprese, which is the classic combination of tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella.
Start by cooking your chicken cutlets until golden brown and crispy. Then, while they’re still warm, top them with slices of fresh mozzarella and cherry tomatoes. A sprinkle of fresh basil at the end adds a bright, herby flavor that brings everything together.
For an extra burst of flavor, you can drizzle the finished chicken with balsamic glaze or a splash of balsamic vinegar before serving.
Related: How to Make Chicken Cutlets Without Eggs or Flour
Tips for making caprese chicken cutlets
Use fresh mozzarella if you can. Fresh mozzarella has a creamy texture that pairs perfectly with juicy cherry tomatoes. If you only have shredded mozzarella, it will still work, but the finished dish won’t have quite the same caprese feel.
Add the basil at the end. Fresh basil can wilt and darken when exposed to heat for too long. Wait until right before serving to sprinkle it over the chicken.
Choose ripe cherry tomatoes. Since tomatoes are one of the main ingredients, use the sweetest, freshest ones you can find. You can also quickly sauté them for a few minutes if you prefer a softer, more jammy topping.
Manual Meat Slicer for Thin Chicken Cutlets (from $25)
Easy Caprese Chicken Cutlets Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 thin chicken cutlets (about 1 to 1½ pounds)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced
- 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
- Balsamic glaze, for drizzling (optional)
Directions
- Prepare the chicken.
Pat the chicken cutlets dry with a paper towel. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.\ - Bread the chicken.
Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs. Coat each chicken cutlet in flour, then dip into the egg, followed by the breadcrumbs. - Cook the chicken.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken cutlets for about 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. - Add the caprese topping.
Transfer the chicken to a baking sheet or oven-safe dish. Top each cutlet with mozzarella slices and cherry tomatoes. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes until the cheese is slightly melted. - Finish and serve.
Top with fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, if desired. Serve immediately.
Leave a Reply