Caprese Chicken Salad (Print)

Grilled chicken atop ripe tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil with a sweet balsamic glaze drizzle.

# Components:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (or mixed dried oregano and basil)
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

# Directions:

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

# Chef Secrets:

01 -
  • Grilled chicken stays impossibly juicy when you nail the resting step, turning lunch into something you actually look forward to.
  • The balsamic reduction tastes like you've been simmering it all day, but it takes barely eight minutes and transforms everything it touches.
  • Fresh basil and mozzarella do most of the flavor work, so you're really just playing supporting role to beautiful ingredients.
02 -
  • Let the chicken rest after grilling; those five minutes let the juices redistribute so the meat stays tender instead of drying out the moment you cut into it.
  • Make the balsamic reduction before you start grilling—it needs to cool slightly anyway, and one less thing on the stove when you're juggling chicken makes everything easier.
  • Cold mozzarella against hot chicken is actually the whole point; the heat slightly softens it into something creamy without melting completely into puddles.
03 -
  • Room temperature tomatoes taste sweeter and more complex than cold ones straight from the fridge, so pull them out an hour before you plan to eat.
  • If fresh basil isn't available, don't substitute dried; just leave it out and let the mozzarella and balsamic carry the flavor instead.
Back