Alex Drummond’s Baked Caprese Chicken Recipe Uses a Trader Joe’s Favorite to Make Dinner Delicious and Fast

Alex Drummond is no stranger to the whipping up simple yet hearty dishes, just like her mom, Ree Drummond a.k.a. The Pioneer Woman. This is especially true for her caprese chicken recipe, which bakes basil-marinated chicken, cherry tomatoes and mozzarella pearls into a single dish. In 35 minutes, you’ll have a juicy chicken meal to enjoy with pasta, orzo or crusty bread. Even better, Drummond uses pre-marinated chicken from Trader Joe’s for faster prep. Keep reading for the scoop on this sheet pan chicken bake that’s bursting with Italian flavors!

What is in caprese chicken?

Inspired by caprese salad, this dish often consists of chicken breasts or cutlets baked with Italian ingredients, such as fresh basil or pesto, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and balsamic vinegar. These ingredients infuse the chicken with a sweet, earthy and tangy flavor, which will make you want to go back for seconds.

Food

You’ll Want a Big Bowl of the Pioneer Woman’s 30-Minute Chicken Parm Soup

I’m always looking for easy, delicious weeknight recipes, especially as the nights get cooler. So, when I came across The Pioneer Woman’s take on chicken parm soup, I couldn’t resist. You get all the cheesy, savory flavors of chicken parm but in a quick, slurp-able form that’s perfect for a busy night. Our beloved Pioneer […]

Drummond’s Trader Joe’s hack for easy-prep caprese chicken

Deal of the Day

This Deep Conditioning Collagen Hair Mask for Has 4.9 Stars and Is 80% Off — Get It for $20! View Deal

You can always count on Trader Joe’s to have a shortcut ingredient that delivers on flavor. For this dish, Drummond uses their Pesto Genovese Chicken Breast, which comes already marinated in a pesto made from basil, oregano, black pepper and other ingredients. So, you can take the chicken out of the packet, arrange it on a baking sheet with the remaining ingredients and bake. It takes the fuss out of preparing a home-cooked meal without skimping on flavor. The amount of chicken breasts in the package may vary, but you should get at least two servings out of it. 

Food

This Is the Dreamiest, Creamiest Tuscan Chicken Pasta You’ll Ever Make

Some meals just have that magical, can’t-stop-eating quality. You take one bite, and suddenly, your day feels a little better. Lately, this Tuscan chicken pasta has been doing that just for me. It’s got everything: tender seared chicken, a lusciously creamy sauce and pasta soaking up all that garlicky, sun-dried tomato goodness. While my kitchen […]

How to make Drummond’s baked caprese chicken recipe

Drummond’s recipe was originally shared on her Instagram stories and is one you’ll want to bookmark for dinner tonight! Feel free to customize the recipe by drizzling the baked chicken with balsamic glaze or using multi-colored cherry tomatoes instead. Serve with your favorite starchy side to absorb the juices from the chicken and roasted tomatoes.

Caprese Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 package Trader Joe’s pesto Genovese Chicken Breast
• Cherry tomatoes
• Mozzarella cheese pearls

Directions:

• Yield: 4 servings (buy may vary based on chicken breast package serving size)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease line baking sheet or baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; or line it with parchment paper.
2. Arrange chicken on baking surface in single layer. Top with desired amount of cherry tomatoes and mozzarella cheese pearls. Toss ingredients together using tongs and make sure tomatoes and cheese lay on top of chicken.
3. Bake about 35 minutes. Then, broil 5 minutes. (Note: Chicken is done once its internal temperature reaches 165°F.)
4. Remove from oven and rest 3 to 5 minutes. Serve and enjoy!