Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken with Tomato and Basil

Chicken for dinner doesn't have to be the same old and it doesn't have to be complicated either. This simple Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken with fresh basil and tomato makes dinner worth repeating! Ready in 30 minutes and packed with flavor-- a Caprese salad right in your chicken!

This recipe was originally published December 2018 and photos and copy updated May 2020 to include process photos and tips.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Dinner. The one thing that I swear I get into the biggest ruts in life these days.

There's taco night, spaghetti night, mama is too tired so we order pizza night, and a few other things here and there. It goes over and over on repeat until I decide I'm bored and I need something new.

We do chicken at least once a week. I typically season it with some garlic, salt, pepper and oregano. I bake it and then try to change up what I serve it with to "keep it fresh." It's funny, you'd think since I play with food most days that dinner would be some fancy cuisine, but nope, not the case.

Until this Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken came around recently, the hubby probably thought he was gonna live the rest of his life eating the same old chicken. One taste and he was quite pleased by this cheese, basil stuffed goodness.

I typically get a response like "not bad" when he taste tests (probably more because he knows it drives me crazy when he says that), but this time I got a, "Wow, this is really good."

The taste tester has spoken!

Making this mozzarella stuffed chicken is super easy so honestly, it doesn't take much more effort than making my usual boring chicken which is nice. I added some veggies and a side of pasta tossed with garlic and olive oil and we had a nice meal that tasted almost like something I might have picked up at a local Italian restaurant. (Ok, tooting my own horn here a bit! Ha!)

And that is a winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Ingredients to make this recipe:

• mozzarella: fresh mozzarella is best. I honestly think it is what makes this recipe. Anything you can do to make it happen in this mozzarella stuffed chicken, please do!
• basil: fresh basil as well. The flavor it adds is unbeatable. Just be warned that any of the basil hanging out of the chicken will come out black in the oven. Consider yourself warned!

If you are a big fan of olive oils, a really nice olive oil will also make a really great impact on the flavor of this stuffed chicken. This is the kind of dish I like to save the good stuff for!

How to make this recipe:

• Start out by combining the balsamic, olive oil, one garlic clove, Italian seasoning, a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk well to combine. Add the sliced tomato and basil into the mixture and allow to soak for several minutes. You can let it sit for up to about an hour even.
• Slice the chicken in half (see video below) about 3/4 of the way through. Try to make sure the top and bottom part of the chicken are even so they cook evenly. (I cut this piece slightly uneven)

• Season the chicken breasts with sea salt and pepper as well as one garlic clove.
• Stuff the chicken! Take each 1/2 inch circle and cut in half. Place two pieces in the opening of the chicken breast. Layer the tomato and basil from the balsamic olive oil mixture on top of the mozzarella. (steps 1, 2 and 3)
• Use toothpicks to keep the mozzarella, tomato and basil in place. I also like to pour over the extra balsamic and olive oil mixture on the chicken. (step 4)

• Line the chicken up in a baking pan and bake about 20-25 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Allow to rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
• There may be some liquid in the pan when you pull the chicken out, so be aware. This happens more often when you add the extra balsamic over top.

Notes:

• When putting these stuffed chicken breasts together, using two toothpicks is best to keep everything in place. Plus, it helps if you want to stuff them BIG TIME.
• While you can certainly use shredded mozzarella if that's what you have, I highly recommend using fresh mozzarella. The flavor, the melt, everything about it is just the best.
• When slicing the chicken for stuffing, try to do it so that top and bottom half are of equal thickness. This will ensure that both parts cook at an even rate and one does not dry out.
• You can make these ahead of time and let them sit in the fridge for the day and then pop them in the oven before dinner. That always helps when it comes to meal time for me!

What to serve with this Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken:

• I will be the first to tell you this is great with PASTA! A good Italian dish should always be served with pasta right? Toss it with some olive oil and herbs and you are set. Or maybe a bit of your favorite marinara sauce.
• Not sure if this is too much, but my Caprese Farro Salad is a fan fave. Can you really have too much mozzarella, tomato and basil ever???
• A really simple tossed salad--like we are talking one of those kits you buy where everything is included.
• Any and all kinds of bread.
• Your favorite veggie--we love these Parmesan Roasted Green Beans.
• A nice glass of wine--what is your favorite?!

TRY THESE OTHER DINNER RECIPES AND SIMPLE MEALS:

• Parmesan Crusted Steak and Potato Sheet Pan Dinner
• Baked Orange Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
• Spinach Ricotta Chicken
• Sweet and Smoky Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
• Easy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers
• 15 Minute Sheet Pan Steak and Broccoli
• Chicken with Mango Salsa

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