Description

Grilled Chicken Caprese is a vibrant, high-protein dish that combines juicy grilled chicken breasts with fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, aromatic basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. It’s a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it an ideal choice for a healthy lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

4–6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6–8 ounces each)
1 tablespoon olive oil (or more to coat)
¾–1 teaspoon salt
¾ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder (or 2 garlic cloves, finely minced)
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried) or substitute with oregano
6 ounces fresh mozzarella ball (or substitute with goat cheese), sliced into ⅓-inch slices (one slice per piece of chicken)

For the Tomato Salad:

1½ pints cherry or grape tomatoes (about 3 cups), halved
15 fresh basil leaves, cut into ribbons
1 garlic clove, finely minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
In a small bowl, combine olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder (or minced garlic), lemon zest, and thyme (or oregano).
Rub the mixture evenly over the chicken breasts.
Place the chicken on the grill and cook for 6–8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
During the last minute of grilling, place a slice of mozzarella on each piece of chicken and close the grill lid to melt the cheese.
While the chicken is grilling, prepare the tomato salad by combining halved tomatoes, basil ribbons, minced garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
Once the chicken is cooked and the cheese has melted, remove from the grill and let rest for a few minutes.
Top each chicken breast with a generous spoonful of the tomato salad.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

For added flavor, marinate the chicken in the seasoning mixture for 30 minutes before grilling.

If fresh mozzarella is unavailable, goat cheese can be used as a substitute.

Ensure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 16–20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Grilling
Cuisine: Italian