Chicken Caprese Salad

4.8

(4)

3 Reviews

This chicken caprese salad has all the fresh bright flavors of a classic caprese plus a protein boost from simple quick-marinated chicken cutlets. For extra convenience, buy pre-sliced chicken cutlets to streamline your prep. On sunny days, take the cooking outdoors and grill the chicken for an extra layer of flavor.

Renu Anshie Dhar

Updated on April 18, 2024

Tested by

Amanda Stanfield

Reviewed by Dietitian

Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

a recipe photo of the Chicken Caprese Salad — Photo:
Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco

Active Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

1 hr

Servings:

Nutrition Profile:

Sesame-Free Nut-Free Soy-Free High-Protein Egg-Free Gluten-Free

Nutrition Notes

Is Chicken Breast Good for You?

Chicken breast is an excellent source of lean protein. It’s low in fat and provides several vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins and choline, a nutrient that is essential for your nervous system.

Is Romaine Lettuce Healthy?

When you think of green leafy vegetables, romaine lettuce may not top your list (hello, spinach and kale) but it is indeed part of this category. And like other leafy greens, it too offers a wealth of nutrients, including vitamins A and K and folate. It’s also rich in antioxidants, which, together with the other nutrients, can help to reduce inflammation and support bone, skin and heart health.

Tips from the Test Kitchen

What’s the Difference Between Grape and Cherry Tomatoes?

Grape tomatoes have the shape of a grape, whereas cherry tomatoes are round. Grape tomatoes are not as sweet as cherry tomatoes, and they have a thicker skin with a meatier texture, which makes them perfect for chunkier sauces for pasta and pizza. Cherry tomatoes can also be used for sauces and are interchangeable in recipes calling for grape tomatoes, but you’ll get slightly different results. One thing cherry tomatoes have over grape tomatoes is that they can be easily stuffed to make fabulous appetizers.

Additional reporting by Carrie Myers, M.S. and Linda Frahm

Ingredients

1/3 cup aged balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus 1 teaspoon, divided
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon ground pepper
2 1/2 teaspoons honey
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt-free Italian seasoning (such as Dash)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 (8-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut in half horizontally
8 cups coarsely chopped romaine lettuce hearts
1 pound grape tomatoes, halved horizontally (about 3 cups)
1 (8-ounce) container fresh small mozzarella cheese balls in water, drained
1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves

Directions

Whisk vinegar, 2 tablespoons oil, mustard and pepper in a medium bowl until well combined. Transfer 6 tablespoons of the mixture to a small bowl. Whisk honey into the reserved mixture in the small bowl; set aside.

Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco
Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, Italian seasoning and garlic powder to the remaining mixture in the medium bowl; whisk until combined. Add chicken; toss to coat completely. Let stand, covered, at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Preheat a grill pan over medium heat, 3 to 5 minutes. Brush with the remaining 1 teaspoon oil. Add the chicken; cook, turning once, until grill marks appear on both sides and a thermometer inserted into the thickest parts registers 165°F, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board; let stand for 5 minutes. Slice.

Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco
Arrange romaine, tomatoes, mozzarella and basil on a large platter; sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Top with the sliced chicken and drizzle with the reserved balsamic mixture.

Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco

Nutrition Information

Serving Size: 3 oz. chicken & 2½ cups salad

Calories 426, Fat 22g, Saturated Fat 8g, Cholesterol 123mg, Carbohydrates 21g, Total sugars 9g, Added sugars 4g, Protein 39g, Fiber 4g, Sodium 752mg, Potassium 683mg

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It OK to Marinate the Chicken Overnight?

Absolutely. If it’s pre-prep time savings you’re after, this would work. However, don’t expect the chicken to have any more added flavor than you’d get from marinating for the 30 minutes recommended in this recipe. The USDA recommends you don’t marinate poultry any longer than two days. The longer your chicken marinates, the more likely the fibers in the meat will break down, and you’ll end up with mushy chicken.
Why Is It Called Caprese?

Several stories are floating around, including the account of a chef creating it at the Hotel Quisisana in the 1930s, and the colors of the ingredients match the colors of the Italian flag. However, La Cucina Italiana, a monthly magazine that has been embracing authentic Italian cooking since the 1920s, says that caprese salads are not named after the culinary traditions of Capri but rather the well-known ingredients from the island that go into making the salad: tomato, mozzarella, basil and olive oil.

EatingWell.com, April 2024