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!
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.Â
Tip:Â 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.Â
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!
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Grilled Caprese Chicken
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.
Friday Faves Part 9 - TheresesPieces 03.27.2015
[…] fast and these recipes are anything but ordinary. I can’t wait to bust out the grill to make this tasty grilled caprese chicken or this yummy sun-dried tomato stuffed […]
Nettie @ Netties Closet 03.25.2015
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.
Grilled Caprese Chicken with Basil Vinaigrette | GrilledMagazine.com 09.13.2014
[…] Source: Iowa Girl Eats […]
Rachel 09.05.2014
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!
Allyson 08.16.2014
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!
What's for Dinner: August 2014 Meal Plan | The PinterTest Kitchen 07.31.2014
[…] Egg, S’mores Bars August 17 – Sesame Steak Stir Fry, Fumi Asian Salad August 18 – Grilled Caprese Chicken, Calico Beans, Sweet Corn Grilled Guacamole August 19 – Grilled Salmon Puttanesca, Sauteed […]
Kung Pao Chicken Lettuce Wraps | Iowa Girl Eats 07.28.2014
[…] ok, a few weeks ago in Kansas City Ben and I were at this fun little bar/sushi restaurant for happy hour. It was one of our favorite […]
RainaC 07.21.2014
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!
Colleen 07.18.2014
Just made the chicken tonight–AMAZING. I live in KC, so I was thrilled to see your post about visiting!
AmberLynn Pappas 07.18.2014
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.
Melissa s. 07.18.2014
I’ve never grilled corn! Yours looks delish.
Tre Cavil 07.16.2014
Hmmmm….looks great. I always say it’s not grilled properly unless it’s a little black.
Alicia 07.16.2014
Made this last night for dinner and it was delicious! Thanks so much for another great recipe! :)
Leah 07.16.2014
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!
Michele Holmes 07.16.2014
I made this for hubby and myself last night … so delish! Thanks for sharing!!
Mandy 07.15.2014
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!!
Kristin 07.15.2014
We went there last year – LOVED it! We’d planned on going back but just didn’t get a chance. Next time for sure!
Amy @ Dusty's Sister 07.15.2014
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!
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm 07.15.2014
These photos are soooooo mouthwatering! YUM!
Melissa Anderson 07.15.2014
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. :-)
Kristin 07.15.2014
So glad to hear, Melissa!
Kim Parker 07.14.2014
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.
Kristin 07.15.2014
We went last year and looooved it (https://iowagirleats.com/2013/07/08/eating-our-way-through-kansas-city/) – I had no idea it was so enormous!