Grilled Chicken Caprese Salad (Printable Version)

Juicy grilled chicken paired with ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil, drizzled with balsamic glaze.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 10.5 oz)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
05 - 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs

→ Salad

06 - 3 medium ripe tomatoes, sliced
07 - 7 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
08 - 1 cup fresh basil leaves
09 - 3.5 oz mixed salad greens

→ Dressing

10 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
11 - 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
12 - 1 teaspoon honey
13 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat for 5 minutes.
02 - Coat chicken breasts with olive oil and season generously with salt, pepper, and dried Italian herbs.
03 - Place chicken on hot grill and cook 6 to 7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
04 - Remove chicken from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
05 - Arrange tomato slices, mozzarella slices, basil leaves, and mixed greens on a serving platter or individual plates.
06 - Layer sliced grilled chicken over the salad components.
07 - Whisk together extra virgin olive oil, balsamic glaze, and honey in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
08 - Drizzle dressing evenly over salad immediately before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than ordering takeout and tastes like you spent hours on it.
  • The combination of creamy, tangy, and savory hits every craving at once without feeling heavy.
  • You can prep the components ahead and assemble it right before guests arrive, making you look effortlessly talented.
  • It works just as well for a solo lunch as it does for a backyard dinner party.
02 -
  • Don't slice the chicken while it's still hot off the grill or all the juices will run out onto your cutting board instead of staying in the meat.
  • If your tomatoes aren't perfectly ripe, a tiny pinch of sugar sprinkled on them beforehand wakes up their flavor.
  • Adding the dressing too early will make the greens wilt and the salad soggy, so wait until the very last moment.
03 -
  • Use buffalo mozzarella instead of regular fresh mozzarella for a creamier, more luxurious texture that melts in your mouth.
  • Grill extra chicken and keep it in the fridge so you can throw this salad together in under 10 minutes on busy nights.
  • A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt right before serving elevates every flavor and makes the dish taste restaurant-quality.
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