Easy Instant Pot & Crock Pot Caprese Chicken: A Delicious and Healthy Dinner Solution
Discover the ultimate weeknight hero: Caprese Chicken! This incredible recipe is a dream come true for anyone seeking a flavorful, healthy, and incredibly easy dinner. Whether you prefer the speedy convenience of your Instant Pot or the set-it-and-forget-it magic of your Crock Pot, this dish delivers succulent chicken infused with the bright, fresh flavors of a classic Caprese salad. It’s particularly perfect for warm weather when you want to avoid heating up your kitchen, making it a year-round favorite! This post contains affiliate links for products I’m obsessed with.
Confession #93 – I’m one of those people who cling to summer for as long as possible. Even as Halloween decorations start appearing and pumpkin-flavored everything takes over the grocery aisles, my summer garden is often still thriving. My tomato plants, in particular, seem to be in complete denial of the impending change of seasons, producing an abundance of juicy, ripe tomatoes. It’s a wonderful problem to have, but it means I’m constantly searching for delicious and easy ways to use them up before they reach their peak.
Beyond the garden bounty, the back-to-school season brings a whirlwind of activity, making quick and healthy dinner solutions absolutely essential. That’s why I’m always on the hunt for reliable crock pot or instant pot recipes. These appliances are game-changers for ensuring a nourishing meal makes it to the table, even on the busiest of weeknights.
Why You’ll Love This Caprese Chicken
This easy Caprese Chicken checks all the boxes for a perfect meal. It’s a delightful twist on classic Caprese flavors, combining tender chicken with sweet tomatoes, tangy balsamic vinegar, fragrant basil, and gooey mozzarella. For those familiar with my 21 Day Fix Balsamic Chicken with Zoodles, this recipe offers a very similar profile, but with the added bonus of using fresh, ripe tomatoes. The vibrant taste of fresh tomatoes truly elevates this dish, making it undeniably delicious and incredibly simple to prepare.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its minimal prep work. The most time-consuming part is simply halving the cherry or grape tomatoes. This makes it an ideal candidate for meal prep – you can easily assemble it on a food prep day, the night before, or early in the morning before work. Imagine coming home to the incredible aroma of a home-cooked meal, with dinner practically ready and waiting for you. That’s the magic of this effortless Caprese Chicken.
Key Ingredients for a Perfect Caprese Chicken
The simplicity of Caprese Chicken is truly its strength, relying on a handful of fresh, high-quality ingredients to create a burst of flavor. Here’s a closer look at what makes this dish so special:
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the star, providing a lean protein base. They cook beautifully in both the Instant Pot and Crock Pot, becoming incredibly tender and absorbing all the delicious flavors of the sauce.
- Fresh Tomatoes: Cherry or grape tomatoes are essential for that sweet, slightly acidic burst. Halving them allows their juices to meld with the other ingredients, creating a rich sauce. If you have an abundance from your garden, this is the perfect recipe to showcase them!
- Balsamic Vinegar: This adds a wonderful sweet and tangy depth, characteristic of Caprese flavors. It caramelizes slightly during cooking, enhancing the overall taste.
- Garlic and Onion: These aromatic staples form the foundation of flavor, providing a savory counterpoint to the sweetness of the tomatoes and balsamic.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A touch of good quality olive oil helps to bring all the flavors together and contributes to a smooth, delicious sauce.
- Fresh Basil: Added at the end, fresh basil provides that distinctive aromatic, slightly peppery flavor that defines a Caprese dish. Don’t skip this – it truly brightens the entire meal.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella, melted over the top, adds a creamy, decadent finish. It’s the perfect gooey complement to the fresh flavors.
- Optional Red Pepper Flakes: For those who enjoy a little kick, a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes adds a subtle warmth that enhances the other flavors without overpowering them.
Instant Pot vs. Crock Pot: Which Method is Right for You?
One of the best features of this Caprese Chicken recipe is its versatility across two popular kitchen appliances: the Instant Pot and the Crock Pot. Both yield incredibly delicious results, but they cater to different cooking styles and schedules.
- Instant Pot for Speed: If time is of the essence, the Instant Pot is your go-to. It cooks the chicken quickly under pressure, making it perfect for last-minute dinner decisions or when you need a meal on the table in under 30 minutes (including pressure building and release time). The sauté function also allows you to caramelize the onions directly in the pot, adding another layer of flavor.
- Crock Pot for Convenience: For busy days when you want dinner to cook itself while you’re out, the Crock Pot is ideal. Simply combine the ingredients in the morning, set it, and come home to a house filled with the inviting aroma of a perfectly cooked meal. The slow, gentle cooking ensures the chicken is incredibly tender and the flavors are deeply melded.
No matter which method you choose, you’ll end up with a fantastic meal. The choice simply depends on your schedule and preference!
What to Serve with Your Delicious Caprese Chicken
This flavorful Caprese Chicken is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of sides. We love serving ours over seasoned brown rice, which soaks up all the delicious juices. However, feel free to get creative:
- Pasta: A simple whole grain or gluten-free pasta is a classic choice.
- Zoodles or Veggie Noodles: For a lighter, low-carb option, spiralized zucchini noodles are fantastic.
- Quinoa: Another healthy grain that complements the flavors beautifully.
- Crusty Bread: Don’t underestimate the joy of dipping a piece of crusty bread into the rich sauce!
- Alone: The dish is so satisfying, it can easily be enjoyed on its own for a lighter meal.
It’s a perfectly yummy, yet light and fresh meal, ideal for wrapping up the summer season or bringing a taste of sunshine to any time of year!
Cooking Caprese Chicken from Frozen
Life happens, and sometimes you forget to thaw the chicken! Good news: for this Instant Pot Caprese Chicken recipe, you can absolutely use frozen chicken breasts. However, there are crucial differences depending on your appliance:
- Instant Pot (Frozen Chicken): The Instant Pot is safe and efficient for cooking chicken from frozen. If your chicken is just slightly frozen, you can follow the same cook time as fresh chicken but ensure you do a full natural pressure release. For a frozen solid block of chicken, add an additional 5-10 minutes to the cooking time, depending on the thickness. Thicker chicken breasts will need closer to 10 extra minutes, while thinner cuts or tenderloins may only need 5 extra minutes. A full natural release is always recommended when cooking from frozen to ensure the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Crock Pot (Frozen Chicken): It is generally not recommended to cook frozen chicken directly in your Crock Pot. The slow cooking process can keep the meat at unsafe temperatures for an extended period, increasing the risk of bacterial growth and foodborne illness. Always thaw chicken completely before placing it in a slow cooker to ensure safety and optimal cooking results.
Caprese Chicken [Crock Pot or Instant Pot]
Nancylynn
4
servings
Pin Recipe
10 minutes
15 minutes
25 minutes
Ingredients
-
1/2
large
yellow or red onion
sliced -
3-4
cloves
fresh garlic
minced or pressed -
1
lb.
boneless skinless chicken breasts -
3 1/2
cups
cherry or grape tomatoes
halved -
2
tablespoons
balsamic vinegar
3 tbsp. for the IP -
2
teaspoons
extra virgin olive oil -
1
teaspoon
crushed red pepper
optional -
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
to taste -
2
tablespoons
fresh basil
chopped -
2/3
cup
mozzarella cheese
shredded -
Cooking oil spray
Instructions
Slow cooker:
-
Spray your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray – I used my EVO. Add sliced onions and garlic to the bowl and then cover with chicken breasts.
-
Add chopped tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, crushed red pepper (if using), salt and pepper.
-
Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
-
Add basil and top with grated mozzarella cheese. Turn slow cooker on high and cover until the cheese has melted.
-
Serve with brown rice, quinoa, whole grain or gf pasta, or zoodles! Yum!
Instant Pot:
-
Spray your Pressure Cooker with cooking oil spray and hit the saute function. Saute your onions until they begin to caramelize.
-
Turn off saute and add in garlic and chicken, then top with chopped tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, crushed red pepper (if using), salt and pepper.
-
Cover and set to manual for 15 minutes. After cook time, carefully switch to quick release and open the top of your pressure cooker when all the steam has released. (If your chicken is frozen you can cook for 20 minutes with a full natural release – more details in the post)
-
Switch to saute and add in the mozzarella cheese and basil. Cook on saute until the cheese melts (2-3 minutes).
-
Serve with brown rice, quinoa, whole grain or gf pasta, or zoodles! Yum!
Video
Notes
WW: 2 points (per serving) [Calculated using fat free mozzarella cheese]
Nutrition
Calories:
244
kcal
Carbohydrates:
9
g
Protein:
30
g
Fat:
9
g
Saturated Fat:
3
g
Polyunsaturated Fat:
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat:
4
g
Trans Fat:
0.01
g
Cholesterol:
87
mg
Sodium:
266
mg
Potassium:
794
mg
Fiber:
2
g
Sugar:
5
g
Vitamin A:
1448
IU
Vitamin C:
21
mg
Calcium:
126
mg
Iron:
1
mg
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