Chicken Caprese Sheet Pan is a super quick and spectacular one-pan meal that’s ready in 30 minutes. This simple dish looks and tastes amazing but it is actually very easy to make and only requires a few ingredients.
This chicken sheet pan meal is a true showstopper! It is simple and healthy, yet elegant and perfect for a date night at home or a casual dinner party. If you’re like me and love the classic Caprese combination of tomatoes, mozzarella and basil, you’ve got to try this recipe!
I love the simplicity and no fuss preparation of sheet pan dinners, but I often find that boneless skinless chicken breast and chicken tenders tend to dry out quickly when baked on a sheet pan. Chicken thighs are a lot more forgiving in the oven because thanks to the higher fat content, they stay moist and juicy when treated with high heat. Chicken tenders are small and lean, and it is very easy to overcook them and end up with super dry rubbery chicken.
Make sure to try this Orzo Salad with Pesto for another caprese inspired dish.
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How to bake chicken tenders so they stay juicy
My trick for baking chicken tenders so they don’t dry out is to coat them in mayo (!) and bake them for less than 30 minutes in high heat. Mayo may sound a little unconventional here but trust me, the fatty, creamy mayo forms a barrier on the chicken’s surface and it keeps the moisture from escaping when baking. Plus, it gives the chicken a nice, almost crispy coating. You may know that to make super crispy grilled cheese, some people use mayo on the outside of the bread but you can’t really taste it in the finished product. This chicken is the same kind of story – the mayo is there but you won’t be able to taste it.
Because this sheet pan meal is inspired by a classic Caprese salad, I decided to add some pesto to the mayo marinate. This ingredient adds a nice basil flavor boost to this dish.
Ingredient notes
- Chicken tenders: I like chicken tenders for this recipe because they require zero prep but if you want, you can also use boneless skinless chicken breast cut into strips the size of chicken tenders.
- Mayonnaise: I use avocado oil mayonnaise, such as Primal Kitchen. You can use any mayo you like, store bought or homemade.
- Mozzarella pearls: Most grocery stores carry mozzarella pearls - tiny cheese balls that are either vacuumed packed or packed in water. Just drain them and you are ready to go!
- Pesto: I like Kirkland (Costco brand) or Barilla (found in most grocery stores). You can also make your own with fresh basil, olive oil, garlic, parmesan cheese and pine nuts.
- Balsamic glaze: Balsamic glaze, also sometimes called balsamic reduction is basically reduced balsamic vinegar. I buy mine at Trader Joe’s and love the ease of a squeeze bottle but if you prefer to make your own, I tell you how to do it below.
How to make balsamic glaze from scratch
If you are feeling ambitious and/or don’t have store bought balsamic glaze, you can easily make your own. It only takes one ingredient: good quality balsamic vinegar, preferably from Modena in Italy (most grocery stores carry some form of Aceto Balsamico di Modena). Just bring it to boil, turn the heat down and simmer for about 20 minutes until it reduces and thickens. 2 cups of balsamic vinegar will produce about ½ cup of balsamic glaze. Keep in mind that it will thicken even more as it cools.
Serving suggestions
It’s up to you! This dish is pretty versatile so it can be served hot as a main dish with a side of roasted fingerling potatoes and asparagus or whatever roasted vegetables you like. You can also turn it into a salad and serve it hot, at room temperature or cold on the bed of arugula lightly dressed with olive oil and lemon juice.
Other quick and easy dinners
- Tuna Pesto Pasta
- Sausage, Apples & Veggies Sheet Pan
- Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus Stuffed Chicken
- Spaghetti Squash with Spinach, Bacon & Goat Cheese Skillet
- Creamy Veggie Feta Pasta Bake
- Egg Roll in a Bowl {Paleo, Whole30}
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Recipe
Chicken Caprese Sheet Pan
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins
- 6 oz cherry tomatoes
- 4 oz mozzarella pearls
- 3 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon pesto
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Balsamic glaze
- Fresh basil leaves
- Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with oil.
- In a large bowl combine mayo and pesto. Add chicken tenders and stir around to coat. The mayo coating will make the chicken moist on the inside and crispy on the outside.
- In a small bowl combine cherry tomatoes and olive oil. Sprinkle with some kosher or sea salt and stir to coat.
- Place the chicken on the prepared baking sheet so that the tenders don’t touch each other. Arrange cherry tomatoes around the chicken. Season with freshly ground pepper.
- Place the baking sheet in the over for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken turns slightly golden and the tomatoes look soft and slightly blistered.
- Take the baking sheet out of the oven, sprinkle with mozzarella pearls, drizzle with balsamic glaze and sprinkle with chopped basil leaves.
- Serve hot or cold, on the bed of arugula lightly dressed with olive oil and lemon, or with a side of roasted veggies.
Notes
Nutrition
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Meet the Author
Hi, I'm Agnieszka. I'm a mom of three and recipe developer, writer and photographer behind Wholly Tasteful. I love creating comforting, delicious, family-friendly recipes that you can feel good about.
Marta
I made this one for lunch today and my family liked it a lot! Me as well - very easy to prepare, it turned out colourful and elegant-looking and very tasty too!
Agnieszka
So glad you enjoyed it!
MyYellowApron
Would love to try this recipe and that’s a great looking dish. 🥰
Erica
I've made this a few times now. It is the new go-to recipe for super easy but still kind of impressive and fancy looking. It's hard to mess up.
Jen
I loved how easy and delicious this was for dinner! I only had to send my hubby out for pesto as we had everything else on hand. This one will definitely be in our regular rotation.
Traci
You had me at caprese LOL. Seriously, I love chicken recipes that are unique, easy, and delicious. This one checks all the boxes.
Wanda
I always end up with bags of chicken tenders in the freezer. Now I know exactly what I'm going to make with them!
Michelle
We love caprese salad and this looks so delicious! Love the tip for keeping the chicken moist by using mayo! Can't wait to give this a try soon.
Diana Reis
So easy and delicious. This is just right for a quick and healthy dinner.
FOODHEAL
First, I love simple recipes, and this chicken Caprese wins on that, two, I love your captures! Great job!
Marysa
Mozzarella caprese is one of my fave foods, and I would love to try your recipe. I like the convenience of the sheet pan as well!
Alexandra
Caprese salad is one of my favourites, so I knew I would love this chicken sheet pan dish. Great colours and flavours - delicious!
Tina
What a great recipe for the whole family to enjoy!
Peter
I'm always on the look out for an easy dinner, so glad I found this recipe. I've never thought of using mayo, we used Japanese Mayo and the chicken was delicious and juicy! thanks!
Agnieszka
I LOVE Japanese mayo. This stuff is dangerous!
Kayla DiMaggio
This chicken caprese sheet pan dinner was so delicious! I loved how easy it was to make and it was so yummy! Perfect Summer dinner!
Nora
Love this recipe! Perfect in the summer when we have visitors. Everyone was hooked! Thanks for the great recipe!
Nancy
This sheet pan meal is wonderful and chicken and caperes salads are my fav
Genevieve
This recipe looks so easy and vibrant! I love a good sheet pan meal! Less mess and no fuss. Can't wait to try this!