The Zesty Grilled Chicken Caprese Recipe Everyone Adores

Let me share a mouthwatering summer chicken dish that combines my favorite caprese flavors with perfectly grilled chicken.

Bright basil, ripe tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella create an irresistible combination that screams fresh and delicious.

Mediterranean ingredients dance together on this simple plate, turning an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Fresh herbs and carefully selected ingredients make this recipe shine with minimal effort.

Salt and pepper work their magic alongside juicy chicken, creating depth in every single bite.

Crisp and light, this recipe promises to become your new go-to summer meal that impresses without complicated techniques.

You’ll want to fire up the grill and savor every incredible moment of this culinary adventure.

Why Grilled Chicken Caprese Is So Fresh And Tasty

• Savor Quick Weeknight Delight: This grilled chicken caprese recipe transforms ordinary chicken into a mouthwatering meal in under 15 minutes, perfect for busy families craving restaurant-quality dinner without complicated steps.
• Master Effortless Grilling Technique: Minimal ingredients and straightforward instructions make this dish ideal for both novice and experienced home cooks, ensuring consistent delicious results every single time with basic cooking skills.
• Customize Flavor Explosion: Versatile recipe allows easy modifications like swapping herbs, using different cheese types, or adjusting seasoning, making it a flexible option for personalizing meals to match individual taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Elevate Simple Ingredients: Combining classic caprese elements with grilled chicken creates an elegant dish that looks impressive but requires minimal culinary expertise, turning ordinary ingredients into a stunning meal that looks professionally prepared.

Ingredients For Grilled Chicken Caprese

• Chicken Breasts: Lean and tender protein base for the dish, best when fresh and boneless.

• Olive Oil, Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper: Creates a flavorful and aromatic coating for the chicken, enhancing its natural taste.

• Fresh Tomato Slices, Mozzarella Cheese: Provides classic Caprese flavors with creamy and juicy textures, adding brightness to the grilled chicken.
• Fresh Basil Leaves: Adds a fragrant and herbal note, traditional in Caprese style dishes.
• Balsamic Glaze: Offers a sweet and tangy finish, complementing the other ingredients with rich depth.

Steps To Make Grilled Chicken Caprese

Step 1: Marinate and Prepare Chicken

• Olive oil
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper

Allow chicken to absorb flavors while warming up to room temperature and preparing the grill.

Step 2: Fire Up the Grill

Warm the grill to medium-high heat. Clean and oil the grates to prevent sticking. Position chicken on the hot grates at a 45-degree angle for perfect grill marks.

Step 3: Cook Chicken to Perfection

Grill chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side. Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid flipping chicken too often to maintain juicy texture.

Step 4: Create Caprese Topping

• Fresh mozzarella slices
• Ripe tomato rounds

Close grill lid briefly to allow cheese to melt and tomatoes to warm slightly.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

• Fresh basil leaves
• Balsamic glaze drizzle

Serve immediately while warm and cheese is deliciously melted.

Tips For Better Grilled Chicken Caprese

• Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Let chicken sit with seasoning for 15-30 minutes before grilling to allow herbs and spices to deeply penetrate the meat, creating a more delicious and aromatic dish.
• Check Chicken Doneness Perfectly: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches exactly 165°F, preventing overcooking while guaranteeing food safety and maintaining juicy texture.
• Grill with Precision: Maintain medium-high heat and avoid moving chicken too much to create beautiful grill marks and seal in natural juices, resulting in tender and flavorful meat.
• Melt Cheese Like a Pro: Place mozzarella during the final minute of grilling and close the lid briefly to create a perfectly melted, slightly golden cheese topping that enhances the Caprese experience.
• Fresh Herb Finishing Touch: Scatter freshly torn basil leaves just before serving to add bright, aromatic notes that complement the rich cheese and grilled chicken, elevating the entire dish's flavor profile.

How To Keep Grilled Chicken Caprese Fresh

• Refrigerate leftover grilled chicken caprese in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
• Keep the chicken moist by placing a damp paper towel over the top before sealing the container.
• Separate fresh basil leaves and store them in a small container to prevent wilting.
• When reheating, use a microwave or oven at medium heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture and prevent dryness.
• Avoid freezing this dish, as the fresh mozzarella and tomatoes will lose their texture and become watery when thawed.

Best Sides With Grilled Chicken Caprese

• Pair with Crisp Pinot Grigio: This light, refreshing white wine perfectly complements the grilled chicken's herbs and cuts through the richness of mozzarella with its bright, citrusy notes.
• Create a Mediterranean Salad Side: Toss together mixed greens, cucumber, olives, and a light lemon vinaigrette to enhance the Italian-inspired flavors of the Caprese chicken.
• Match with Roasted Garlic Focaccia: The herb-infused bread provides a delicious textural contrast and soaks up the balsamic glaze, creating a complete flavor experience.
• Choose Sparkling Water with Lemon: A bubbly, citrus-infused drink cleanses the palate between bites, highlighting the fresh basil and bright tomato elements of the dish.

Simple Variations Of Grilled Chicken Caprese

• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Swap Italian seasoning for a blend of fresh rosemary, thyme, and oregano, creating a more aromatic and herbaceous flavor profile that transports your taste buds to the Mediterranean coastline.
• Spicy Southwestern Style: Add ground chipotle pepper and smoked paprika to the chicken rub, then top with pepper jack cheese and garnish with cilantro for a zesty southwestern kick that brings bold heat to the classic caprese.
• Garlic Parmesan Upgrade: Mix grated parmesan cheese into the seasoning rub and sprinkle extra parmesan over the melted mozzarella, introducing a rich, savory depth that complements the fresh basil and balsamic glaze.
• Mediterranean Vegetable Companion: Grill zucchini and bell pepper slices alongside the chicken, creating a colorful and nutritious side that enhances the dish's Mediterranean essence and provides additional texture and flavor.

Grilled Chicken Caprese FAQ

• What makes Grilled Chicken Caprese different from regular grilled chicken?

This recipe elevates classic grilled chicken by adding fresh Italian-inspired toppings like mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and balsamic glaze, transforming a simple protein into a gourmet dish with vibrant Mediterranean flavors.

• Can I make this recipe if I don't have a grill?

Absolutely! You can use a grill pan, cast-iron skillet, or even bake the chicken in the oven. The key is to cook the chicken to 165F and then add the classic Caprese toppings just before serving.

• How do I know when the chicken is perfectly cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken is done when it reaches 165F, which ensures it’s fully cooked but still juicy and tender. Avoid overcooking to prevent dryness.

• What type of chicken works best for this recipe?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal because they cook evenly and quickly. Choose similar-sized breasts to ensure uniform cooking and a consistent, delicious result.

Grilled Chicken Caprese Recipe

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4.9 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent “Grilled Chicken Caprese” blends Italian summer flavors with smoky charred chicken, fresh mozzarella, and ripe tomatoes. Fragrant basil and balsamic glaze elevate this classic dish, inviting you to savor Mediterranean elegance on your plate.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Seasonings and Oil:

• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Italian seasoning
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

Toppings and Garnish:

• 2–3 ripe tomatoes, sliced
• 8 ounces (226 grams) fresh mozzarella, sliced
• ¼ cup fresh basil leaves
• Balsamic glaze, for drizzling

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Instructions

1. Marinate the chicken breasts with a harmonious blend of olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Allow the flavors to infuse while preparing the grill.
2. Heat the grill to a medium-high temperature, creating the perfect surface for achieving a beautifully caramelized exterior on the chicken.
3. Position the seasoned chicken on the grill, cooking for approximately 5-7 minutes on each side. Ensure the internal temperature reaches a safe 165°F for perfectly cooked poultry.
4. As the final moments of grilling approach, carefully layer vibrant tomato slices and creamy mozzarella atop each chicken breast.
5. Briefly close the grill lid, allowing the cheese to gently melt and create a luscious topping for the chicken.
6. Transfer the grilled chicken to a serving platter, garnishing with fragrant fresh basil leaves and a luxurious drizzle of balsamic glaze.
7. Serve immediately, celebrating the harmonious blend of Mediterranean-inspired flavors and textures.

Notes

• Marinate chicken for extra flavor by letting it sit in the seasoning mixture for 30 minutes to 2 hours before grilling, allowing the herbs and oil to penetrate deeply.
• Ensure even cooking by pounding chicken breasts to a uniform thickness, which helps prevent dry or undercooked sections and promotes consistent grilling.
• Choose fresh, high-quality mozzarella and ripe tomatoes for the most vibrant Caprese topping, as the simplicity of this dish relies on ingredient quality.
• For a low-carb or keto-friendly version, skip the balsamic glaze or use a sugar-free alternative to maintain the classic flavor profile while keeping carbohydrates minimal.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg