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.
If you’re looking for a salad that actually keeps you full, this Grilled Chicken Salad is it. Tender grilled chicken, creamy avocado, sweet grilled corn, crunchy roasted chickpeas, and queso fresco are tossed together with a zesty homemade southwest ranch dressing for a salad that’s hearty enough to be dinner.
It’s fresh, colorful, packed with protein, and loaded with bold Southwest flavors in every bite. Whether you’re meal prepping lunches or serving dinner on a warm summer night, this is one of those salads everyone gets excited to eat.
Why You’ll Love This Grilled Chicken Salad
- Protein-packed from chicken and chickpeas
- Hearty enough for lunch or dinner
- Full of fresh vegetables and bold flavor
- Crispy roasted chickpeas add amazing crunch
- Homemade southwest ranch dressing is easy and delicious
- Great for meal prep
- Naturally gluten-free
- Ready in about 45 minutes
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t let the ingredient list fool you—everything in this southwest salad with roasted chickpeas is easy to find and worth every bite.
Roasted Chickpeas
- Chickpeas: Also called garbanzo beans, chickpeas become wonderfully crispy in the oven and add protein, fiber, and crunch to the salad.
- Olive Oil: Helps the chickpeas crisp up while adding rich flavor and helping the seasonings adhere.
- Paprika: Adds a mild smoky sweetness and beautiful color to the roasted chickpeas.
- Ground Cumin: Brings warm, earthy Southwest flavor that pairs perfectly with the chicken and corn.
- Kosher Salt: Enhances all the flavors and helps season the chickpeas from the inside out.
Southwest Ranch Dressing
- Sour Cream: Creates a creamy, tangy base for the dressing.
- Mayonnaise: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, classic ranch texture.
- Lemon Juice: Brightens the dressing and balances the richness with fresh acidity.
- Fresh Dill: Gives the dressing that signature ranch flavor and fresh herbaceous taste.
- Garlic Powder: Adds savory depth without overpowering the dressing.
- Chili Powder: Brings mild heat and smoky Southwest flavor.
- Taco Seasoning: Adds extra layers of spices and enhances the Southwestern flavor profile.
- PRO TIP: This is the key to this salad!
For the Salad
These Mexican Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowls are loaded with your favorite Mexican-inspired flavors! We start off with juicy Mexican grilled chicken, elote (Mexican Street Corn), and of course, avocado! These are quick and easy to make, perfect for healthy dinners, and everyone loves them!
My family has totally fallen in love with rice bowls lately. Our middle daughter is even working on her own version with quinoa and the most incredible lemon tahini dressing—we’ve been recipe testing like crazy! But in the meantime, this street corn chicken bowl has been on repeat all summer long.
It reminds me of those hot, busy days when you’ve been outside forever and just need something easy and satisfying for dinner. I love that everyone can build their own bowl exactly how they want it. And if you want to bump up the protein, adding cottage cheese to the street corn is such a simple little trick!
Why You’ll Love These Bowls
Quick and Easy: From start to finish, this meal takes less than 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights!
High Protein: One healthy chicken bowl contains 46 grams of protein!
Customizable: Each member of the family can create the chicken rice bowl of their dreams with all the toppings they love most.
Meal Prep: You can make the rice, chicken and street corn ahead of time, place them in meal prep containers and you’re set for lunches/dinners all week.
Bold Flavors: The chicken, the creamy elote, the pickled red onions, fresh jalapenos, cilantro and lime all come together for the most delicious bowl.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These healthy chicken bowls come together with a mix of fresh ingredients, pantry staples, and a few flavor-packed extras. Nothing complicated, just real, delicious ingredients that build those bold, creamy street corn flavors in every bite.
- Mexican Grilled Chicken Breasts: Juicy, flavorful chicken with a smoky, seasoned finish that makes this bowl extra satisfying.
- Avocados: Creamy and rich, they balance out all the bold, savory flavors perfectly.
- Cilantro: Fresh and bright, it adds that classic finishing touch to every bite.
- Black Pepper: Adds a little warmth and depth to round everything out.
- Pickled Red Onions: Tangy, slightly sweet, and just the right pop of acidity to cut through the richness.
- Lime: A squeeze of fresh lime wakes everything up and ties all the flavors together.
- Rice: The hearty base that soaks up all the flavor—use white, brown, or Read more
When the weather gets hot, this Chicken Taco Salad is the dinner we make on repeat. It’s fresh, crunchy, loaded with juicy taco-seasoned grilled chicken, and tossed with the most delicious creamy taco salad dressing.
It’s everything we love about taco night piled onto a big bowl of crisp lettuce instead. It is fast, satisfying, and one of those meals everyone in the family loves!
After everyone went crazy for our Ground Beef Taco Salad I just knew we had to make a grilled chicken taco salad version. I mean, how can you not make another taco salad? It’s a must!
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Taco Salad
- Fresh and flavorful – crunchy lettuce, juicy chicken, and tons of toppings
- Easy weeknight dinner – ready in about 30 minutes
- Healthy-ish comfort food – all the taco flavor without the heavy fried shell
- Totally customizable – add your favorite toppings
- Perfect for summer meals when it’s too hot to cook
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this grilled chicken taco salad is how simple it is. A few fresh ingredients, juicy taco chicken, and a creamy homemade taco salad dressing come together to make a salad that’s anything but boring.
- Taco Chicken: Boneless chicken breasts are coated in taco seasoning and grilled until juicy and flavorful.
- Romaine: Perfect for taco salad because it stays crisp and adds that classic chopped salad crunch.
- Black Beans: Add protein, fiber, and that classic Tex-Mex flavor.
- Corn: Adds freshness and a little sweetness that balances the savory ingredients.
- Cheese: Shredded cheddar or a Mexican blend adds creaminess and richness.
- Tomatoes: Bring brightness and juiciness to t