Caprese Chicken Salad (Printable)

Grilled chicken paired with tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and balsamic reduction for a fresh, flavorful dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

# How to Make It:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like restaurant-quality food but comes together in about half an hour.
  • Grilled chicken stays juicy and takes on a gorgeous golden crust that makes the whole dish feel special.
  • Fresh mozzarella and basil turn a simple salad into something that feels indulgent without being heavy.
  • The balsamic reduction is silky and tangy—the kind of detail that makes people ask for your recipe.
02 -
  • Letting the chicken rest after grilling is non-negotiable—I learned this the hard way by slicing immediately and wondering why it felt dry.
  • Fresh mozzarella is different from aged mozzarella and it won't melt into the salad; that's actually the whole point, so don't panic when it stays in distinct slices.
  • The balsamic reduction seems like it's taking forever to thicken, but one minute too long and it hardens into brittle candy when it cools; watch it carefully.
03 -
  • If your tomatoes aren't great, this dish will taste just okay instead of amazing—taste them before committing, and if they're mealy or flavorless, honestly consider using all cherry tomatoes instead.
  • Slice the chicken against the grain, which means looking at which way the fibers run and cutting perpendicular to them; this makes even thick slices feel tender.
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