High-Protein Creamy Caprese Chicken Casserole Recipe (9 Ingredients, 35 Minutes) by Elisa Schmitz

What's better than a caprese salad? A creamy high-protein caprese skillet casserole that's a nutritious and delicious one-pan dinner. If you love caprese salads as much as I do, then this easy caprese skillet casserole recipe should be the next meal you make. It's so good!

This cheesy one-pan casserole recipe is packed with healthy green peppers, onions, basil and tomatoes (check out the health benefits of bell peppers, the health benefits of basil and the health benefits of tomatoes). Plus, the wholesome skillet casserole is full of protein, thanks to the chicken, Greek yogurt and mozzarella cheese. Check out the health benefits of protein and the health benefits of Greek yogurt.

Photo credit (all photos): Elisa Schmitz

Here's the gluten-free list of ingredients you'll need to make this savory skillet dinner recipe: extra virgin olive oil, onion, green peppers, cooked chicken breast, balsamic vinegar, plain Greek yogurt, fresh basil, fresh tomatoes and shredded mozzarella cheese. The fresh basil garnish is optional. You combine everything in the skillet on the stovetop then bake it until it's golden brown and bubbling. So simple!

This flavorful dish is a meal on its own, but it's equally delicious for dinner over pasta or crusty bread. Satisfying high-protein comfort food you can feel good about!

Cuisine: American / Italian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes (ovens vary)
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup onion, diced
• 1 cup green pepper, diced
• 1 pound cooked chicken breast, diced
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (or to taste)
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves (about 20 leaves, depending on size)
• 1 1/2 cups fresh tomatoes, sliced (about 2 medium tomatoes)
• 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (divided)
• salt and black pepper, to taste (optional, but I used about a 1/3 teaspoon of each)
• additional fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
• drizzle of balsamic glaze, for garnish (optional)

Here's how to make it:

1. In a cast iron skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil, onions and green peppers. Stir to combine and sauté until crisp-tender, about 3 to 4 minutes.
   
2. Add the cooked chicken and balsamic vinegar. Stir to combine. (Depending on how much balsamic flavor you like, you can add more or less of it. I added 2 tablespoons but could have used a bit more, so next time I will add 3 tablespoons, or else add a drizzle of balsamic glaze as garnish.)
   
3. Add the Greek yogurt and 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, if desired. Stir until combined and smooth on top. Remove from heat.
   
4. Spread half the remaining mozzarella cheese on top, then layer the basil on top of the cheese, ensuring the basil leaves are evenly distributed.
   
5. Spread the sliced tomatoes on top of the basil, ensuring the tomato slices are evenly distributed.
   
6. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
   
7. Bake at 425 degrees F until cooked through and a bubbly golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes.
   
8. Allow to cool a bit before serving. Garnish with additional fresh basil, if desired. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave.
   

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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