Caprese Chicken Bowl (Printable)

Sliced grilled chicken over fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil with balsamic glaze

# What You’ll Use:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 lbs)
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
04 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
06 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Salad

07 - 7 oz fresh mozzarella balls, sliced or torn
08 - 3 medium ripe tomatoes, sliced or diced
09 - 1 cup fresh basil leaves
10 - 4 cups mixed salad greens, optional

→ Balsamic Reduction

11 - 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
12 - 1 tbsp honey

→ Finishing

13 - 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
14 - Sea salt and black pepper to taste

# How-To:

01 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
02 - Slice chicken breasts horizontally to create 4 thinner cutlets. Drizzle with olive oil and season evenly with Italian herbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
03 - Grill chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until fully cooked and juices run clear. Remove from heat and rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
04 - Combine balsamic vinegar and honey in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until syrupy. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
05 - Arrange salad greens in bowls if using. Top with sliced grilled chicken, mozzarella, tomatoes, and fresh basil leaves.
06 - Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic reduction. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
07 - Serve immediately while chicken is warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 30 minutes but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, which is the best kind of kitchen magic.
  • The warm grilled chicken against cool, creamy mozzarella and bright tomatoes creates this perfect temperature contrast that somehow feels luxurious and light at once.
  • You can make the balsamic reduction ahead and store it in a jar, so dinner on a busy night suddenly becomes effortless.
02 -
  • The balsamic reduction is the game-changer that ties everything together, so don't skip it or use bottled balsamic glaze, which is often too syrupy and artificial-tasting.
  • If your tomatoes aren't truly ripe and fragrant, this dish will fall flat no matter how perfect everything else is—ripeness is non-negotiable here.
03 -
  • Don't skip the resting period for the chicken—those 5 minutes make the difference between juicy and dry, and the residual heat keeps cooking the center gently without drying out the edges.
  • If you're making this for guests, you can prep everything ahead and just grill the chicken right before serving, then assemble the bowls at the table so everything is at its peak.
Go Back