This chicken caprese is a fresh, flavorful dinner made with juicy chicken, ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and basil all finished with a drizzle of balsamic glaze. We love to use the grill but you can also bake in the oven or fry in a pan. Bonus points for being a quick and healthy chicken recipe!
It’s everything you love about a classic caprese salad, turned into an easy, satisfying main dish. Whether you grill it, bake it, or cook it in a skillet, this caprese chicken recipe comes together quickly and feels just a little bit elevated without any extra effort.
What is Chicken Caprese?
Chicken caprese is a simple dish inspired by the classic Italian caprese salad, made with chicken, fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and balsamic glaze.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Caprese
- Hands-on prep time is less than 30 minutes
- Fresh, simple ingredients
- Naturally low-carb (8g) and high-protein (61g)
- Works on the grill, stovetop, or oven
- Perfect for weeknights or entertaining
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken Breasts: the juicy, protein-packed base
- Tomatoes: fresh and vibrant
- Fresh Mozzarella: creamy and melty
- Fresh Basil: adds bright, herby flavor
- Balsamic Glaze: sweet and tangy finish
- Olive Oil + Seasonings: simple flavor builders
👉 Optional (but highly recommended!): balsamic marinade for extra flavor (see below)
How to Make Chicken Caprese
- Prepare the chicken: Season (or marinate) the chicken breasts.
- Cook the chicken: Grill, bake, or pan-sear until fully cooked (see section below for instructions for each).
- Add toppings: Top each piece with sliced mozzarella and tomatoes.
- Melt the cheese: Let the mozzarella melt slightly in the broiler.
- Finish and serve: Drizzle with balsamic glaze and sprinkle with fresh basil. Serve immediately while warm and melty.
👉 Chicken is done when it reaches 165°F internally.
Ways to Cook Chicken Caprese
Grilled Chicken Caprese – Adds smoky flavor and is perfect for summer.
- Heat a grill to medium-high heat, then add the chicken and reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 6-7 minutes per side depending on thickness.
Baked Chicken Caprese – Easy, hands-off and great for weeknights.
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Place the chicken in a baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray and bake for 30 minutes uncovered, or until chicken reaches 165°F internally.
This tortellini pasta salad is everything you want in a summer side dish. It’s fresh, flavorful, and incredibly easy to throw together. Loaded with tender cheese tortellini, savory salami, juicy tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella, it’s a simple recipe that always disappears fast.
We make it just as often for lunch the next day as we do for a side dish. And honestly, I actually make this is as our main dish quite often during the summer. It’s so fast and fresh and doesn’t heat up the house. It is a winner!
Why You’ll Love This Tortellini Pasta Salad
- Ready in about 15 minutes
- Uses simple, fresh ingredients
- Perfect served cold (great for make-ahead)
- Works as a side or main dish
- Easy to customize with what you have
Ingredients You’ll Need
Summers are all about pasta salad recipes and this easy tortellini pasta salad is fresh, flavorful, perfect for hot summer days and done in just 15 minutes! Here is what you need:
- Cheese Tortellini: the hearty base that makes this salad extra satisfying
- Kosher Salt: adds flavor to the pasta as it cooks
- Mozzarella (marinated): adds a savory, salty bite
- Salami: bring creaminess and built-in flavor
- Black Olives: add a rich, salty bite that brings a classic Italian flavor to the salad
- Cherry or Grape Tomatoes: fresh and juicy
- Red and Orange Bell Peppers: add a sweet, crisp crunch and bright color
- English Cucumbers: add a fresh, cool crunch with a mild flavor
- Red Onion: adds a sharp bite and a little zing to balance the flavors
- Fresh Basil: bright, herby finish
- Italian Dressing: adds a tangy, herby flavor that ties everything together
How to Make Tortellini Pasta Salad
Don’t blink because you might miss this…
- Cook the tortellini: Bring a pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add tortellini and cook until they float to the top. Drain and let cool.
- Combine ingredients: Once cooled, add tortellini to a large bowl with salami, mozzarella (including oil and herbs), tomatoes, and basil.
- Toss and serve: Gently toss everything together until well combined. Season with salt to taste and serve.
👉 Serve immediately or chill for later—this pasta salad is delicious either way.
Variations and Substitutions
This tortellini s
This Southern Tomato Pie is what you make when dinner feels impossible but you still want something special—something that says “home.” Juicy summer tomatoes, 3 kinds of cheese, and fresh basil all tucked into a homemade flaky crust that tastes like comfort on a plate.
Watch How to Make This Southern Tomato Pie Recipe
If there was one recipe that totally caught me by surprise it would be this one! Even kids love, love, love this tomato pie! Think margherita pizza meets pie and that’s what you get here! All the flavors of homemade pizza but in the form of a savory pie. I find that it’s best made with farm fresh tomatoes as they pack in so much more flavor and remind me of the rows and rows of beautiful, shiny red globes of tomatoes planted along the perimeter of Mom and Dad’s garden. It’s fresh and tasty with a flaky crust, what more could you want?!
Southern Tomato Pie Ingredients
This easy tomato pie recipe features a homemade crust and a cheesy tomato filling. Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:
For the Crust
- Flour: Just regular all-purpose flour is all you need.
- Sugar: Helps balance out the flavor of the crust.
- Salt: Adds flavor to the crust.
- Butter: Use unsalted butter so that the crust doesn’t become too salty. Butter gives the crust its rich flavor and flaky texture.
- Ice Water: Helps bind all the ingredients together while keeping the butter and shortening cold so the crust is extra flaky.
For the Filling
- Fresh Tomatoes: Vine ripe tomatoes are my favorite for this recipe. Roma tomatoes also work great!
- Cheeses: Mozzarella, Parmesan, and Cheddar
- Herbs and Spices: Salt, Garlic Powder, Oregano, Black Pepper and Fresh Basil Leaves (store-bought or fresh from the garden)
- Mayonnaise: Duke’s is our preferred brand but you can use any mayo you want!
The measurements needed for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.
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Add a burst of flavor to your salads with this simple and nutritious creamy basil dressing recipe. Made with fresh ingredients, it’s the perfect addition to your healthy meal options.
Watch How to Make our Creamy Basil Herb Dressing Recipe
This is one of those recipes that has evolved over time and has become one of my favorites. I drew some inspiration from our creamy avocado cilantro dressing, but in this salad dressing recipe, I mix up the herbs and amounts sometimes depending on what I have on hand or what is in season. I’ve even served it over roasted corn for a corn salad once. So good! It’s just one of my go-to, most favorite things ever.
We used this fresh basil salad dressing on our BLT pasta salad once and we have never used any other dressing on it since. It is just so bright and fresh and the perfect creaminess and zesty flavor for that pasta salad recipe. Scroll down to the section below for more ideas of how to use this dressing recipe.
Ingredients for Creamy Basil Dressing
This creamy basil salad dressing is a perfect blend of fresh, vibrant herbs and smooth, rich flavors. Made with simple, yet delicious ingredients, it brings a burst of aromatic basil combined with the creaminess of Greek yogurt and mayo. Here’s a list of the ingredients you’ll need to make this delightful dressing:
- Plain Greek Yogurt: Lightens up the dressing a little and adds great protein.
- Possible substitute: sour cream
- Mayonnaise: Adds more creaminess and gives a little acidity to the dressing.
- Buttermilk: Helps thin out the dressing to a good consistency while keeping the dressing tangy and fresh.
- Fresh Herbs: Basil, Parsley, Dill and Chives — Everything must be fresh, no other option here.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds delicious umami undertones to the dressing and some acidity.
- Seasonings: Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Kosher Salt and Black Pepper
The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.
Pesto pasta is a fresh, flavor-packed dish made with al dente penne, homemade basil pesto, and a touch of garlic and parmesan. It’s quick to whip up, full of bright, herby goodness, and perfect for tossing together on a busy night. All you need is a few simple ingredients and 15 minutes – yes, really!
This pesto pasta is fresh, flavorful, and ridiculously easy to throw together. The homemade basil pesto is rich with garlic, parmesan, and pine nuts, and it clings perfectly to every bite of penne. We’ve been making it since our basil started taking over the garden, and it’s still a favorite. Tossed, stirred, and devoured in minutes – this dish never lets us down.
Fresh basil has a way of sneaking into just about everything we make during the warmer months. Whether it’s tucked into a cheesy pasta or layered into something heartier, the flavor is always a hit around our table. When the mood calls for something extra cozy, we’ll go for our 20-Minute Cheesy Pesto Pasta – it’s like this dish’s rich, melty cousin. Or if we’re feeling that casual backyard dinner vibe, a slice of Pesto Pepperoni and Sausage Grilled Pizza totally hits the spot. And if you haven’t tried our Creamy Chicken Pesto Lasagna, you’re seriously missing out!
Ingredients for Pesto Pasta
This pesto pasta is proof that simple really can be spectacular. Just grab a few fresh staples, give them a whirl in the food processor, and boom – pasta night perfection.
- Penne Pasta: The perfect pasta shape to catch all that gorgeous pesto sauce in every nook and cranny. Spaghetti or rotini work well too!
- Pine Nuts: Lightly toasted for that buttery, nutty flavor that makes pesto sing. If you don’t have these in the pantry, walnuts or almonds are a good backup.
- Garlic: Adds a bold, savory depth to the pesto. We’re using fresh cloves for that extra zing!
- Sweet Basil: The star of the show. Use fresh basil leaves, packed tightly for the best flavor. No dried stuff here!
- Olive Oil: Helps everything blend smoothly and adds that classic richness. Stick with extra virgin for the best taste.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated is best – trust us. Adds saltiness and a creamy texture to the pesto.
- Sea Salt and Fresh Black Pepper: Just a pinch or two to bring everything into balance.
The measurements needed for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.