Gourmet Grilled Chicken Caprese Recipe

Sizzling Gourmet Grilled Chicken Caprese Recipe for Food Lovers

Summers in Italy dance with vibrant flavors, where classic caprese salad meets tender grilled chicken in this mouthwatering caprese chicken recipe.

Fresh basil leaves and ripe tomatoes create a symphony of Mediterranean charm.

Juicy chicken breasts absorb delicate marinades that enhance every single bite.

Mozzarella melts luxuriously over perfectly grilled meat, creating irresistible layers of taste.

Each ingredient tells a story of sunlit Italian kitchens and cherished culinary traditions.

Simple yet elegant, this dish transforms an ordinary meal into an extraordinary dining experience.

You’ll savor every delectable morsel that brings the essence of Italian cooking right to your plate.

How to Cook Juicy Grilled Chicken Caprese with Fresh Topping

  • Massage Chicken with Flavor

Coat chicken breasts in a zesty blend of olive oil and herbs, letting the seasonings mingle and infuse while the grill heats up.

  • Fire Up the Grill

Crank the grill to a sizzling medium-high temperature and lay the chicken down, cooking until it’s perfectly golden and reaches the safe internal temp.

  • Crown with Creamy Goodness

In the final moments of grilling, crown each chicken piece with luscious tomato and melty mozzarella slices, allowing the heat to transform them into a gooey topping.

  • Garnish and Serve

Lift the chicken from the grill, then sprinkle with vibrant basil leaves and drizzle with rich, tangy balsamic glaze for a restaurant-worthy finish.

Tricks to Enhance Your Grilled Chicken Caprese Flavor

  • Pat chicken dry before oiling to ensure beautiful, crispy exterior with professional-looking grill lines.
  • Marinate chicken up to 4 hours in advance for deeper Italian seasoning flavor that penetrates the meat thoroughly.
  • Replace mozzarella with dairy-free cheese alternatives or nutritional yeast for a lactose-intolerant friendly version.
  • Skip balsamic glaze or use a sugar-free version to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining delicious flavor profile.
  • Experiment with different fresh herbs like oregano or thyme alongside basil for a personalized herbal twist that elevates the classic Caprese combination.

Best Ways to Serve Grilled Chicken Caprese for Dinner

  • Fresh Picnic Platter: Spread grilled chicken on a large wooden board with extra basil leaves, cherry tomatoes, and sliced mozzarella for a beautiful summer-style presentation that looks Instagram-worthy.
  • Mediterranean Salad Companion: Slice the chicken and serve atop mixed greens with additional balsamic drizzle, creating a light and refreshing meal perfect for warm evenings.
  • Italian-Inspired Sandwich: Layer sliced grilled chicken caprese between crusty ciabatta bread, adding extra fresh basil and a smear of pesto for a delicious handheld option that captures the recipe's classic flavors.
  • Pasta Side Option: Chop the chicken and toss with warm pasta, extra virgin olive oil, fresh basil, and diced tomatoes for a quick and satisfying meal that transforms the original recipe into a complete dinner experience.

Grilled Chicken Caprese Leftovers? Store Them Like This

  • Store leftover grilled chicken caprese in airtight containers within two hours of cooking to maintain optimal freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
  • Enjoy your delicious chicken for 3-4 days when stored properly in the refrigerator, ensuring maximum flavor and food safety.
  • Wrap individual chicken pieces in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags for up to two months, perfect for quick future meals.
  • Warm refrigerated chicken gently in a skillet with a splash of olive oil or microwave at 50% power to retain moisture and prevent drying out, keeping the mozzarella and basil's delicate texture intact.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 5

Grilled Chicken Caprese: Ingredient Breakdown

For Meat Base:
  • Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that serves as the canvas for this vibrant dish, choose fresh, boneless cuts with even thickness for consistent cooking.
For Seasoning and Enhancers:
  • Olive Oil: Helps create a delectable golden crust and prevents chicken from sticking, use extra virgin for best flavor.
  • Italian Seasoning: Blends aromatic herbs that infuse Mediterranean warmth, select a high-quality blend or mix your own.
  • Salt: Amplifies natural chicken flavors, opt for sea salt or kosher salt for nuanced taste.
  • Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity, freshly ground offers more robust flavor.
For Topping and Garnish:
  • Fresh Mozzarella: Creamy cheese that melts beautifully, select soft, fresh buffalo mozzarella for authentic texture.
  • Tomato Slices: Brings bright, juicy freshness, choose ripe, firm Roma or beefsteak varieties.
  • Fresh Basil Leaves: Delivers classic Italian herbaceous punch, select bright green leaves without brown spots.
  • Balsamic Glaze: Sweet-tangy finish that elevates the entire dish, look for thick, syrupy consistency.

Tools to Make Grilled Chicken Caprese Easy and Tidy

  • Grill: High-quality outdoor or indoor grill for perfect char and even cooking.
  • Meat Thermometer: Crucial for checking chicken's internal temperature and ensuring food safety.
  • Tongs: Essential for safely flipping and handling chicken on the grill.
  • Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for preparing and resting grilled chicken.
  • Sharp Knife: Needed for slicing tomatoes and mozzarella precisely.
  • Basting Brush: Helpful for applying olive oil to chicken before grilling.
Print
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Gourmet Grilled Chicken Caprese Recipe

Gourmet Grilled Chicken Caprese Recipe


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4.8 from 21 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Summer’s sizzling Grilled Chicken Caprese brings Italian flavors right to your backyard grill. Fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fragrant basil merge with perfectly charred chicken, creating a Mediterranean-inspired dish that promises pure deliciousness.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons (tbsps) olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon (tsp) Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 23 ripe tomatoes, sliced
  • 8 ounces (oz) fresh mozzarella, sliced
  • ¼ cup fresh basil leaves
  • Balsamic glaze, for drizzling

Instructions

  1. Seasoning: Generously coat chicken breasts with olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, allowing flavors to penetrate while preparing the grill.
  2. Grilling Preparation: Heat grill to medium-high temperature, ensuring even cooking surface. Position chicken breasts on grates, cooking for 5-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F, achieving a perfectly charred exterior.
  3. Cheese and Tomato Layer: During final cooking moments, strategically place fresh tomato slices and mozzarella atop each chicken piece. Close grill lid momentarily, allowing cheese to melt and create a luxurious topping.
  4. Finishing Touch: Transfer grilled chicken to serving platter. Garnish with vibrant fresh basil leaves and artfully drizzle balsamic glaze, enhancing the dish’s visual appeal and flavor complexity.

Notes

  • Select ripe, juicy tomatoes and fresh mozzarella for maximum flavor and texture in the Caprese topping.
  • Maintain medium-high heat to ensure chicken cooks evenly without burning, creating perfect grill marks and sealing in moisture.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check internal chicken temperature, preventing overcooking and keeping the meat tender and juicy.
  • Replace mozzarella with dairy-free cheese alternatives for lactose-intolerant guests, or use plant-based chicken substitutes for vegetarian options.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 500 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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