Chicken Caprese Fresh Salad (Printable Version)

A vibrant mix of grilled chicken, ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and tangy balsamic glaze for a light meal.

# 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 (optional)

→ 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 (optional)

→ Dressing

10 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
11 - 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze or balsamic reduction
12 - 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
13 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
02 - Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, pepper, and dried Italian herbs if using.
03 - Grill chicken for 6–7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
04 - Place sliced tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil leaves on a large platter or individual plates. Add mixed salad greens if desired.
05 - Layer the grilled chicken slices over the arranged salad ingredients.
06 - Whisk together extra virgin olive oil, balsamic glaze, honey if using, and season with salt and pepper.
07 - Drizzle the dressing evenly over the salad just before serving.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Fresh, light, and ready in under thirty minutes—no elaborate technique required.
  • The interplay of warm grilled chicken against cool, creamy mozzarella and bright basil feels indulgent but genuinely healthy.
  • Works equally well as a solo lunch or something you'd confidently serve guests.
02 -
  • Don't skip letting the chicken rest after cooking—those five minutes are when the fibers relax and reabsorb their juices.
  • Room-temperature mozzarella tastes creamier and more delicate than cold straight-from-the-fridge versions, so pull it out ten minutes before assembly.
  • If your tomatoes are mealy or flavorless, the whole dish suffers—this is the one ingredient where quality truly cannot be skipped.
03 -
  • Pound your chicken breasts to an even thickness before grilling so they cook through without the edges drying out.
  • Buy the best mozzarella you can find and eat it the same day—it's one of the few ingredients where the difference between good and great is instantly noticeable.
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