Caprese Chicken Bake
Chicken breasts baked with sliced tomato, fresh mozzarella, and basil, finished with a balsamic drizzle — about $2.68 a serving for a plate that looks like a restaurant special. The trick is the two-stage bake: the chicken goes in alone for 20 minutes, then the tomato and mozzarella go on top for the last eight to ten, so the cheese melts without the tomato turning watery underneath it. Chicken breasts are the expensive part, but this recipe makes them the whole meal, no side dish required beyond bread or a salad. It is a good dinner for guests and a good low-carb night option.
35 min
4
$10.72
$2.68
Ingredients
Estimated Aldi prices for the amount this dinner uses, based on regular shelf prices and the current weekly ad.
Steps
- 1Preheat the oven to 375°F. Rub the chicken with olive oil, salt, and pepper; arrange in a baking dish.
- 2Bake 20 minutes until nearly cooked through.
- 3Top each breast with sliced tomato and a slice of mozzarella.
- 4Return to the oven 8–10 minutes until the cheese melts and the chicken reaches 165°F.
- 5Scatter torn basil over the top and drizzle with balsamic glaze.
- 6Serve with a side salad or crusty bread.
Tips & swaps
- Boneless thighs take a few extra minutes and stay juicier.
- Regular mozzarella torn by hand works as well as fresh — it just melts a little slower.
- Dried basil in the pan with the oil when fresh basil is expensive or out of season.
- A spoon of pesto mixed into the balsamic drizzle adds garlic and depth.
Related recipes
Chicken Caesar Wraps
Grilled or rotisserie chicken with romaine, parmesan, and Caesar dressing in a wrap.
BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Drumsticks brushed with BBQ sauce and roasted until sticky and caramelized.
Chicken Noodle Soup
Shredded chicken, egg noodles, carrots, and celery in a rich broth. Classic comfort.
Put Caprese Chicken Bake into your week
Add it to a plan built around this week's Aldi deals, or browse all 50 cheap dinner ideas and pick the rest of the week yourself.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by ALDI Inc.