Caprese Chicken Bowl (Print Version)

Juicy grilled chicken with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and balsamic glaze over mixed greens.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 lbs)
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon 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 (arugula or spinach)

→ Balsamic Reduction

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

→ Finishing

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

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat your 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 to 5 minutes per side until fully cooked and juices run clear. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
04 - In a small saucepan, combine balsamic vinegar and honey. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until syrupy. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
05 - Arrange salad greens in bowls. 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 and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's ready in 30 minutes flat, making weeknight dinners feel intentional rather than rushed.
  • The warm and cool contrast keeps things interesting—juicy hot chicken against cool, fresh mozzarella is genuinely addictive.
  • You can prep components ahead and assemble at the last second, which means less stress when people are actually sitting down to eat.
02 -
  • The balsamic reduction thickens more as it cools, so stop heating it earlier than feels right—it should coat a spoon but still flow slightly.
  • Mozzarella releases water as it sits, so assemble this bowl right before eating rather than building it ahead, unless you enjoy a soggy situation.
03 -
  • If you don't have a grill, a cast iron skillet or regular pan works beautifully—just get it extremely hot and you'll get similar results.
  • Make the balsamic reduction a day ahead if you're cooking for people; it's one less thing to manage while the chicken is cooking and keeps things calm in the kitchen.
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