Caprese Chicken with Basil Vinaigrette uses the same basil vinaigrette as a chicken marinade and salad dressing. This gluten-free grilling recipe is fresh and tasty!
Now that we’re in the thick of summer I’m doing anything and everything in my power to keep the heat out of the house at dinner time. Grilling is my current go to, and my current favorite grilling recipe is this light yet filling Grilled Caprese Chicken with Basil Vinaigrette!
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Fresh basil vinaigrette is used as both a grilled chicken marinade and dressing for a Caprese salad-inspired topping, and everything’s smothered in reduced balsamic vinegar. Fresh, fun, and flavorful. I don’t know about you but my appetite seems to drop when the temps heat up, but dishes like this one almost always sound appealing.
This recipe materialized after throwing some leftovers together for dinner last week. I had extra basil dressing from our Earth Bowl Salads which I combined with fresh mozzarella cheese and tomatoes from the garden. Grilled chicken was on the menu for dinner anyway, so I tossed everything together and it totally worked! Both Ben and I loved this simple, summery dish!
Start by making the reduced balsamic vinegar, or balsamic reduction. If you’ve never had this stuff, it’s MAGIC. Balsamic vinegar loses a lot of its tang when simmered and reduced, rendering it syrupy and sweet. So amazing. Simply pour 1-1/2 cups balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan then simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the consistency is a little thinner than maple syrup.
The reduction will thicken as it cools so you don’t want to let it reduce too much.
Next make the basil vinaigrette that’s pulling double duty as both the grilled chicken marinade and salad dressing.
Add 1/2 cup lightly packed basil to the bowl of a food processor (or blender,) along with lots of salt and pepper, 1 large clove garlic (or two small ones,) 1 Tablespoon honey and 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar. Pulse a couple times to chop the basil and garlic then let ‘er rip while streaming in 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil.
Add 1/2 the marinade to a Ziplock bag with 4 small chicken breasts that have been pounded thin and seasoned with salt and pepper, then stash in the fridge to marinate for as little as 15 minutes or up to 4 hours.
Meanwhile, make the Caprese salad chicken topping which features sweet cherry tomatoes. I cannot get enough cherry tomatoes in the summertime and luckily my sweet 100 plant is currently dripping with them! You’ll need 1 pint halved cherry tomatoes.
Tip: for “pretty” halved cherry tomatoes, make sure you’re cutting through the fattest part of the tomato.
Versus the skinny side. See the difference?
Toss the tomatoes together in a bowl with 8oz mozzarella cheese pearls.
If you can’t find the pearls, chopped regular fresh mozzarella is totally fine too.
Drizzle the remaining vinaigrette over the tomatoes and mozzarella then toss to coat.
When it’s time to eat, grill the marinated chicken over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes a side, or until cooked through.
Plate then top with a big scoop of the Caprese salad topping, and a heavy drizzle of balsamic reduction, and dig in! Like I said, fun and flavorful, and feel-good-food too. Enjoy!
Best of Summer Kale Salad with Blueberry-Balsamic VinaigretteGrilled Caprese Chicken with Basil Vinaigrette
Description
Grilled Caprese Chicken with Basil Vinaigrette uses a fresh basil vinaigrette for both a chicken marinade and salad dressing. Fresh and tasty!
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 cups balsamic vinegar
- 4 small chicken breasts, pounded to an even thickness
- salt and pepper
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8oz mozzarella pearls
- For the Fresh Basil Vinaigrette/Marinade:
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, lightly packed
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 1 large clove garlic (or 2 small cloves)
- lots of salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Directions
- Pour vinegar into a saucepan then bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium then simmer until the consistency is slightly thinner than maple syrup (you should be able to see the bottom of the pan for a moment when scraping a spatula across the bottom,) 15-20 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.
- For the Fresh Basil Vinaigrette/Marinade: add all ingredients except extra virgin olive oil to a food processor or blender then pulse to roughly chop the basil and garlic. Turn processor on then slowly stream in oil.
- Season chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper then add to a Ziplock back with half the vinaigrette/marinade. Marinate for 15 minutes or up to a 4 hours in the refrigerator. Meanwhile, combine cherry tomatoes and mozzarella pearls with the remaining vinaigrette in a large bowl.
- Preheat grill over medium-high heat then grill chicken for 3-4 minutes a side. Plate then top with cherry tomato and mozzarella topping and reduced balsamic vinegar.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
KC looked like so much fun! I’ve never been but after your review, I’m totally going next time I’m in the area. This grilled chicken looks perfect for summer and perfect for a weeknight. I love these types of recipes!
Eating lots of grilled chicken these days.
Having a contest with the wife who can loose 10 pounds first, this will get me on my way! So far, she’s doing better than me.
But this grilled chicken looks yummy.
Was just telling the boyfriend we needed to get a grill!
that dressing, I have got to make a big batch of it to try!
I love your pink necklace! So cute! Also, this chicken looks like it was made for me! I’ll have to try it!
What a great tip about fat cut vs. skinny cut with cherry tomatoes!
That vinaigrette sounds amazing! I always get fresh basil in my CSA and this would be a perfect use for it. Also, you can never really go wrong with a balsamic reduction.
Please enter me in your $300 Amazon Giveaway contest. I enjoy reading your emails.
FYI, the link for the Pinterest follow for Recipe Critic didn’t work for me.
Thanks for the awesome contest!
I have basil I need to use up, along with fresh mozzarella and little grape tomatoes–My mind went immediately to caprese chicken, but I’m definitely trying this marinade tonight!
Do you drink the Sweet Tea vodka with club soda? I had tried the Jeremiah Weed Sweet Tea a few years ago and found it too sweet mixed with lemonade but now I think that’s because of what I was mixing it with. I love the idea of mixing it with plain ol’ soda!
Yep – it’s awesome with club soda!
I can’t wait to try this one out. :) Love caprese anything! Plus this looks like a nice, lighter but substantial meal.
I adore Kansas City! My husband and I roadtriped to Colorado for our honeymoon last summer and KC was our overnight stopover both ways. If you enjoy coffee, next time you go, check out The Roasterie. They air roast their coffee and there are free tours. You just sign up on their website ahead of time. It was one of our favorite things we did. The shop is themed really well too and it is worth a visit just for the smells! :) We also spent a good hour checking out a kitchen gadget store in the Hallmark shopping center.
Ooo, I can smell it now. Thanks for the rec – we’ll definitely check it out!
Yay for Kansas City! It was HOT here this weekend! Thanks for making our city look great :)
I loved this post and the recipe will be on our next menu!
On the photo of you and Ali, did you notice someone in the background?? I about died laughing! So funny!
Yes – creepiest photobombing ever. It totally looks like it was photoshopped in!
Oh, wow! This looks amazing. I am obsessed with fresh mozzarella these days and I have a huge bunch of basil that needs to be used up. Can’t wait to give this a try.
The next time you are in KC, you have to try Justus Drugstore in Smithville. It is a little drive from the Plaza area, but well worth it. My hubby and I go every year for our anniversary. Crazy good and I LOVE how local all their food is.
http://www.drugstorerestaurant.com/justus.php?id=1
Sounds awesome! Thanks for the rec, Michelle!
I love hearing about people visiting my hometown! I am glad you loved it.
Seeing those pictures makes my heart happy. :)
Now a sweet tea vodka and soda is on my “must-taste” list.
I think I’m the biggest fan of your food. EVERYTHING you makes looks delicious and I would eat it up!! I just entered the contest every way I could because I’m in desperate need of a grill…I’m moving in 2 weeks and I’ll have a house (finally) with an outdoor patio, woo-hoo!
Looks like you had a blast and LOTS of good food! :) Its always fun to meet up with another blogger and be able to talk shop and not worry about them thinking that you are crazy… they just understand!
I am totally obsessed with any and everything caprese, can’t wait to try this especially with the basil vinaigrette.
You and Ben are so cute! Weekend getaways are so much fun. They mean so much more once the little ones come along!
So glad you enjoy KC! We live in Independence, a suburb. Have you been to the Kansas City River Market (farmer’s market)? We try to go any Saturday that we are free- it is one of my favorite places to go.
We went last year and looooved it (http://iowagirleats.com/2013/07/08/eating-our-way-through-kansas-city/) – I had no idea it was so enormous!
I made the caprese chicken for dinner last night and it was a big hit! Super easy and tasty. Going to add it to my regular rotation. :-)
So glad to hear, Melissa!
These photos are soooooo mouthwatering! YUM!
I can’t wait to try this recipe! We have a ton of basil to use up and our tomatoes are coming in too!
My husband and I have been talking about a road trip to KC since it’s so close! Also, with the excitement of the World Cup we’ve semi-committed to becoming Sporting KC fans!
I have lived in the KC suburbs my whole life- you have to try Beer Kitchen in Westport directly across from McCoys and Foundry’s. Same owner. Elevated bar food, best fry dipping sauces (sweet Thai chili!), beer pairings with the food- you will love it!!
We went there last year – LOVED it! We’d planned on going back but just didn’t get a chance. Next time for sure!
I made this for hubby and myself last night … so delish! Thanks for sharing!!
I made this last night for my husband and I – very good flavor, a little heavy on the garlic in the dressing but we didn’t mind since we both had the same garlic breath!
Made this last night for dinner and it was delicious! Thanks so much for another great recipe! :)
Hmmmm….looks great. I always say it’s not grilled properly unless it’s a little black.
I’ve never grilled corn! Yours looks delish.
Thank you for all of the basil ideas this summer! I have “trees” of it that I’m trying to use before I have to puree and freeze the rest of it.
Just made the chicken tonight–AMAZING. I live in KC, so I was thrilled to see your post about visiting!
Made this for dinner last night and it was DELICIOUS! Easy to make and very flavorful. Just found your blog and have saved many, many recipes to try out. I was desperately in need of cooking inspiration – Thanks!
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I took my Mom 2 the Blue Bird 4 a “Girls Lunch”. I wanted 2 show Mom something new,(2 Mom), & different from chain restaurants in our area North of the river. This quaint Cafe’ off the beaten path was perfect! I now live in Vegas,10 yrs. And as I reminisced of our special day long ago, I cried, as my Mom now suffers from dementia. But photos brot me 2 ur page. Ur pix, captions & Blue Bird put a smile on my face! Thank you 4 appreciating my Hometown and reminding me of that perfect Girls Lunch, and reminding me it is a Joyous Memory!
Love the recipe! I made this last night and it was amazing (I think I even impressed my date :). I don’t have a grill though so I cooked the chicken in the oven at 450 for ~25-30 minutes. Thanks!
[…] Source: Iowa Girl Eats […]
The grilled chicken looks so good. I’m not very good when it comes to grilling but this looks delicious that I may have to give it a try.
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Made this tonight and served it salad style over arugula. SO GOOD!!!! Thanks!!!!
[…] we went to the store to purchase everything for her Grilled Caprese Chicken, I asked Mike if we could just buy a basil plant for $5 rather than buy the pre cut packs of basil. […]
[…] out, come out, wherever you are, summer! Grilled Caprese Chicken with Basil Vinaigrette is a dream in the summertime, or anytime you’re looking for a fresh and healthy meal, really. […]
This chicken was delicious!! I will certainly make it again.
So glad to hear it – thank you so much for the feedback! :)
[…] https://iowagirleats.com/2014/07/14/grilled-caprese-chicken-fresh-basil-vinaigrette/ […]
So quick and easy – especially if you get the balsamic vinaigrette blaze from Trader Joe’s. This is my son’s favorite which he requested for his “double digits” 10th birthday dinner. :)