Caprese Chicken Salad (Printable)

Grilled chicken paired with juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fresh basil, and a tangy balsamic drizzle.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
04 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
05 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Salad

06 - 4 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, romaine)
07 - 2 large ripe tomatoes, sliced
08 - 9 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
09 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
10 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
11 - ½ cup fresh basil leaves

→ Balsamic Reduction

12 - ½ cup balsamic vinegar
13 - 1 tablespoon honey

# How to Prepare:

01 - Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
02 - Combine olive oil, dried Italian herbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Rub the mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts.
03 - Cook chicken for 6 to 7 minutes on each side until fully cooked and juices run clear. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
04 - In a small saucepan, bring balsamic vinegar and honey to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until syrupy. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
05 - Place mixed salad greens on a serving platter or individual plates. Arrange sliced tomatoes, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and basil leaves over the greens.
06 - Top the salad with sliced grilled chicken.
07 - Drizzle balsamic reduction over the salad just before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Packed with 36 grams of protein per serving, so you're actually full and satisfied hours later.
  • Ready in 35 minutes from start to finish, proving that restaurant-quality meals don't need all day.
  • Works beautifully as a warm salad right after cooking or chilled the next day, making it endlessly flexible.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting step after grilling—it sounds fussy but it's the difference between chicken that's juicy and tender versus dry and rubbery.
  • Fresh mozzarella isn't like regular cheese; it's fragile and melts quickly, so add it literally as you're plating, not hours ahead of time.
  • The balsamic reduction is forgiving, but if you simmer it too long it becomes bitter, so start checking at the 6-minute mark and pull it off heat when it's glossy and thick.
03 -
  • Thick-sliced chicken stays juicier than thin-sliced—cut it after it's cooled just slightly so it's easier to handle but still warm when it hits the salad.
  • If your tomatoes are underwhelming, a light sprinkle of good sea salt on top brings out whatever sweetness they have hiding underneath.
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