This Low Carb Pesto Caprese Chicken is a skillet-seared chicken breast topped with herby pesto, melted fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and a garlicky balsamic reduction with only 4g carbs and ready in just 30 minutes. Big Italian flavor, zero blood sugar guilt.
Summarize & Save This Recipe On
Jump To:
- What is Low Carb Pesto Caprese Chicken
- Ingredients for Low Carb Pesto Caprese Chicken
- Fresh Mozzarella and Tomatoes: What You Need to Know
- Step by step instructions
- How to make low carb pesto caprese chicken?
- Tips for the Best Low Carb Caprese Chicken
- Nutrition and Macros
- What to serve with pesto caprese chicken
- How to store and reheat caprese chicken
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More low carb dinner recipes
- Recipe Card
With a foundation in natural nutrition and personal experience managing blood sugar through diet, I only share recipes I trust at my own table. If you love fresh caprese flavors, you'll want to try these next: my Grilled Caprese Steak, Low Carb Caprese Bites, Easy Burrata Caprese Salad, and Low Carb Strawberry Caprese Salad.
What is Low Carb Pesto Caprese Chicken
Caprese chicken layers the classic Italian trio of fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and basil over a seared chicken breast. No breading, no heavy sauces, no starch.
This version adds pesto and a garlicky balsamic reduction for depth of flavor that feels anything but diet food.
Here's why it works for diabetics:
- High protein: 18g per serving keeps you full and supports stable glucose
- Healthy fat: mozzarella and pesto slow digestion with no post-meal spike
- Minimal carbs: just 4g per serving with no starch, no fillers
Quick Look at the Macros
239 Calories · 4g Carbs · 18g Protein · 3g Sugar · per serving
Ingredients for Low Carb Pesto Caprese Chicken
Everything you need for this pesto caprese chicken is simple, fresh, and easy to find at any grocery store.
- Chicken breasts: sliced lengthwise into 4 thin cutlets for faster cooking and more surface area for toppings.
- Pesto sauce: adds herby, garlicky flavor without adding carbs; store-bought works fine but our homemade pesto gives you cleaner ingredients and no added sugar.
- Fresh mozzarella: melts better than shredded; worth the upgrade
- Tomato: fresh only; adds brightness and keeps carbs minimal.
- Fresh basil: one leaf goes on top of the pesto before the mozzarella is added, then broiled; more added fresh as garnish after plating.
- Olive oil and butter: combined in the skillet for a golden sear without burning.
- Balsamic vinegar and garlic: reduced together into a thick glaze; intense flavor with only 1g carbs per drizzle
- Salt and black pepper: season the chicken before searing
Pro Tip
Slice each chicken breast lengthwise in half before cooking. You get 4 portions from 2 breasts, each one cooks faster and evenly, and you get double the surface area for pesto, mozzarella and balsamic reduction on every piece.
* See the recipe card for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
Fresh Mozzarella and Tomatoes: What You Need to Know
Fresh Mozzarella: comes in soft white balls packed in water or whey, and it has a mild, creamy flavor. Look for it in the deli section, not the shredded cheese aisle. Slice it just before using for the best texture.
Tomatoes: Any ripe tomato works here. Roma tomatoes are firm and slice cleanly. Beefsteak tomatoes give you a larger slice that covers the whole cutlet. Heirloom tomatoes are the best choice if you can find them. Avoid tomatoes that are too watery or they'll make the chicken soggy.
Step by step instructions
How to make low carb pesto caprese chicken?
- Step 1: Sear the chicken and make a balsamic reduction.
- Step 2: Layer and Broil
STEP 1: Season your chicken cutlets with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil and butter in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and sear each cutlet until golden and cooked through. At the same time, combine balsamic vinegar and minced garlic in a small saucepan over medium-low heat and simmer until reduced to a thick glaze.
STEP 2: Brush each chicken cutlet with the balsamic reduction, then spread a layer of pesto on top. Add a fresh basil leaf, then lay a slice of fresh mozzarella over each cutlet. Transfer the skillet to the oven and broil just until the mozzarella is melted and bubbling.
- Step 3: Top with fresh tomato slices.
- Step 4: Finish and serve.
STEP 3: Remove from the oven and top each cutlet with a fresh tomato slice.
STEP 4: Drizzle with the remaining balsamic glaze, garnish with fresh basil and serve immediately.
Pro Tip
Use heirloom tomatoes if you can find them. The flavor is sweeter, the color is stunning, and they make this low carb caprese chicken look as good as it tastes.
Tips for the Best Low Carb Caprese Chicken
A few small details make a big difference with this dish.
- Don't skip the balsamic reduction: it adds only 1g carb per serving and completely transforms the flavor. It's what separates this from a basic caprese chicken recipe.
- Use fresh mozzarella, not shredded: fresh melts cleaner, tastes better, and contains no anti-caking fillers that can affect texture.
- Broil, don't bake: broiling gives you a fast, bubbly melt without drying out the chicken. Two to three minutes is all it takes.
- Rest the chicken before serving: just 2 minutes off the heat lets the juices redistribute so every bite stays moist.
Pro Tip
Make a double batch of balsamic reduction and refrigerate it. It keeps for up to two weeks and works on everything from salads to grilled chicken to roasted vegetables.
Nutrition and Macros
Per serving, this low-carb pesto caprese chicken comes in at:
- 239 calories
- 4g carbs
- 18g protein
- 16g fat
- 3g sugar
Compare that to a typical chicken parmesan at 30g carbs or more. High protein, healthy fat and just 4g carbs per serving means steady blood sugar, not a spike.
What to serve with pesto caprese chicken
Most caprese chicken recipes suggest serving over pasta. Not here. These low carb sides keep your blood sugar stable and let the flavors of this pesto caprese chicken shine.
- Zucchini noodles: the classic pasta swap; light, fresh and pairs perfectly with the pesto and balsamic flavors on the chicken
- Cauliflower rice: neutral and filling; soaks up the balsamic glaze beautifully. Try this Cauliflower Rice Salad recipe.
- Roasted asparagus: simple, minimal carbs and ready in the same time as the chicken. This Asparagus with Parmesan Cream Sauce would go well with this chicken recipe.
- Arugula salad: a simple handful of arugula with olive oil and lemon cuts through the richness of the mozzarella
- Sautéed spinach: quick, easy and adds iron and fiber without adding carbs
Looking for more ideas? Check out my Low Carb Side Dishes for more diabetic friendly options that pair well with chicken.
How to store and reheat caprese chicken
This low-carb caprese chicken stores well; just keep the components separate so nothing goes soggy.
- Fridge: Store the cooked chicken plain in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Add fresh tomatoes, mozzarella and basil after reheating, not before. Tomatoes go watery and mozzarella loses its texture overnight.
- Reheat: warm the chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat for best results, or in the oven at 325°F until heated through. Avoid the microwave if you can; it dries the chicken out quickly.
- Freezer: freeze the cooked chicken only. No mozzarella, no tomatoes. Wrap each cutlet individually and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. This low carb pesto caprese chicken is high protein, low carb and contains no added sugar. At 4g carbs and 18g protein per serving it fits easily into a diabetic friendly eating plan and supports stable blood sugar after meals.
This recipe comes in at 4g carbs per serving. The small amount of carbs comes from the pesto and the balsamic reduction.
Yes. Cook the chicken and make the balsamic reduction ahead of time and store both in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the tomatoes, mozzarella and basil separate and add them fresh at serving for the best texture and flavor.
Hungry for more?
Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Recipe Card
Low Carb Pesto Caprese Chicken
Instructional Recipe Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 medium chicken breasts sliced lengthwise
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoon pesto sauce
- 4 basil leaves
- 4 slices fresh mozzarella
- 4 slices of tomato
Balsamic Drizzle
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Slice each chicken breast lengthwise in half to make 4 even cutlets. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil and butter in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
- While chicken cooks, combine balsamic vinegar and minced garlic in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Simmer 8 to 10 minutes until reduced to a thick glaze.
- Leave the chicken in the skillet. Brush each cutlet with balsamic reduction, spread pesto on top, add a basil leaf, then lay a slice of fresh mozzarella over each one.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and broil for 2 to 3 minutes until the mozzarella is melted and bubbling.
- Remove from oven and top each cutlet with a fresh tomato slice.
- Drizzle with remaining balsamic glaze, garnish with fresh basil and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use fresh mozzarella, not shredded
- Don't skip the balsamic reduction
- Broil, don't bake
Important Information
For more information, tips and variations please review the recipe video and content above and below the recipe card.
Updates and Revisions
If the video and recipe card differ, follow the recipe card for the latest ingredients and instructions.
Nutritional Information
Nutrition info is estimated and varies by ingredients, measurements, and portions.
Nutrition
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooked food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more food guidelines
Oscar Chimenti says
The balsamic reduction takes this to another level. Only 4g carbs and it's on our weekly rotation!