There are nights when I need dinner to just work-no fuss, no mess, and no 12-step instructions. This Air Fryer Caprese Chicken is one of those recipes I come back to again and again. It's packed with fresh, simple ingredients like juicy tomatoes, melty mozzarella, and a bright basil pesto that takes everything to the next level.
It looks impressive, but it's ridiculously easy. Minimal prep, quick cook time, and the air fryer does most of the work. The best part? You can serve it several different ways-on its own, over pasta, or even on a sandwich. Whether you're cooking for your family, your partner, or just need to get out of a dinner rut, this one delivers.
Craving more meals with melty cheese and fresh basil flavor? This Baked Chicken Pesto Gnocchi is another easy, cozy dinner to add to your rotation.
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Key Ingredients
- Chicken breasts. You'll need to pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness with a meat mallet so they cook evenly. Thin-sliced chicken breasts are a great alternative and less work!
- Fresh, vine-ripened tomatoes. One or two will be needed depending on their size.
- Lemon juice. Lemon adds brightness to both the chicken and the pesto. Fresh is best here.
- Mozzarella cheese. Buffalo mozzarella or a pre-sliced log, both melt beautifully.
- Pesto. This recipe uses my easy Tree Nut-Free Pesto, but you can use your favorite pesto recipe or store-bought if you're short on time.
See the recipe card below for the remaining ingredients and quantities.
Instructions
Step 1: Start by pounding the chicken breasts so they are all the same thickness. Marinate the chicken breasts in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic cloves, salt and pepper while you prep the rest of the ingredients.
Step 2: Make the pesto by adding all of the ingredients to a food processor. Blend until smooth.
Step 3: Cook the chicken for 15 minutes in the air fryer or oven. Remove the chicken and top each piece with 2-3 slices of tomato and a few slices of mozzarella cheese.
Step 4: Continue cooking for a few minutes until the cheese is melted. Top each piece of chicken with some pesto and serve.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, if you don't have an air fryer, this recipe can also be made in the oven. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and bake the chicken uncovered in a baking dish for 15-20 minutes. Next, remove the chicken from the oven, top the breasts with tomato and mozzarella slices and bake for another 8-10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melty. Check out my air fryer to oven conversion chart.
There are several ways to pound chicken breasts, but I like to place them on a cutting board, cover them with plastic wrap or parchment paper and pound lightly with the flat side of a meat mallet. You can also use a rolling pin if you don't have a mallet. For more detailed instructions, check out this article on how to pound chicken breast.
I recommend preheating the air fryer before cooking chicken to ensure it cooks evenly.
You can cook all types of chicken in the air fryer, including a whole rotisserie chicken, dry rub wings and buffalo chicken drumsticks.
Sarah's Top Tips
- Store the leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat for a few minutes in the microwave, oven or air fryer until warm.
- Use thin-sliced chicken breasts or use a meat mallet to pound thicker breasts into thinner pieces. Thinner chicken breasts will cook more evenly.
- Allow the chicken to marinate for a few minutes before cooking to add some flavor and juiciness.
- Always use a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken is cooked through. It should be 165 degrees F internally.
Serving Suggestions
Caprese chicken pairs great with your favorite pasta and a simple side salad full of mixed greens. Seasonal vegetables, such as asparagus and lemony grilled zucchini, also make great sides for this dish.
More Summer Recipes
Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below-I'd love to hear how it turned out! THANK YOU!
Recipe
Easy Air Fryer Caprese Chicken with Pesto & Mozzarella
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Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts, thin sliced or pounded to even thickness
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1-2 vine-ripened tomatoes, cut into 8 even slices
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into 8 even pieces
Pesto Sauce
- 1 cup fresh basil, packed
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 2 garlic cloves
- salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken breasts in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic cloves, salt and pepper while you prep the rest of the ingredients.4 chicken breasts, 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, ½ lemon, 2 garlic cloves, salt and black pepper to taste
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F. Once preheated, add the chicken to the air fryer basket and cook for 15-20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the pesto sauce by combining all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor and pulse until the mixture is smooth.1 cup fresh basil, 1 cup fresh spinach, ½ cup extra virgin olive oil, ½ lemon, 2 garlic cloves, salt and black pepper
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer and top each breast with 2 slices of tomato and 2 slices of mozzarella.1-2 vine-ripened tomatoes, 8 ounces fresh mozzarella
- Place the chicken back in the air fryer or oven and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes until cheese is melted and chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should read 165 degrees F).
- Top the chicken breasts with about two tablespoons of pesto sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Sarah's Tips
- Store the leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat for a few minutes in the microwave, oven or air fryer until warm.
- Use thin sliced chicken breasts or use a meat mallet to pound thicker breasts into thinner pieces. Thinner chicken breasts will cook more evenly.
- Allow the chicken to marinate for a few minutes before cooking to add some flavor and juiciness.
- Always use a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken is cooked through. It should be 165 degrees F internally.
David Holt says
My wife made this a couple of nights ago. Really good, lots of flavour. Yum!
Sarah Holt says
I also made this the other night, it's a great warm-weather dinner!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Aren't air fryers JUST fabulous! I love mine and it really helps when I am on a strict diet too! Thanks for joining in with #CookBlogShare this week, Karen
Sarah Holt says
Thanks Karen!
Cat | Curly's Cooking says
Love the flavours of these, so tasty!
Sarah Holt says
thanks so much Cat!
Magdalena - Cocoa & Heart says
This chicken recipe looks delicious! I love the combination of mozzarella cheese & tomatoes - it goes so well together.
Sarah Holt says
Hi Magdalena, thank you, I love the combo!
Marita says
Hmmm... this looks delicious. I love the chicken with pest sauce. Thanks for sharing #cookblogshare
Sarah Holt says
Thank you Marita!
Rachna says
This is absolutely delicious and my kind of food. Another recipe to try out in my air fryer. Looks easy and fantastic. Thanks for the recipe.
Sarah Holt says
No problem, Rachna, I hope you enjoy it!
veenaazmanov says
Love the toppings. Tangy Tomato, Creamy cheese and yummy pesto sauce. Chicken at its best flavors. yum
Sarah Holt says
Some of the best flavors, thank you!
Saif says
The mozzarella and tomato topping makes the chicken perfection. I will be using this recipe except I will bake it through the oven since I don't have an airfryer.
Sarah Holt says
Hi Saif, it's great in the oven also, you won't be disappointed 🙂
Michelle says
Easy airfryer recipes are saving me right now. This one was absolutely delicious!
Sarah Holt says
Thanks Michelle, I love air fryer recipes
Ashley says
Yum!!! I tried this recipe this evening, and the total winner!
Sarah Holt says
So happy you enjoyed it Ashley 🙂
Andrea says
This chicken sounds marvelous and the pesto on top just pulls the entire dish together.
Sarah Holt says
Thank you Andrea!
Emily says
This was DELICIOUS! Quick & easy! Can't wait to make it again!
Sarah Holt says
So happy to hear that Emily!
Trish says
A family favorite! I make this all year long. Have tried it in both the air fryer and the oven. Both great but really love it in the air fryer the best!
Sarah Holt says
So happy to hear your family loves this!