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15 Minute Avocado Caprese Chicken Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

15 Minute Avocado Caprese Chicken Salad drizzled with a light Balsamic Vinaigrette. This quick & easy dinner recipe is a fan favorite! Seared chicken, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and creamy avocados topped with shredded basil. A light refreshing chicken salad recipe that’s perfect for summer!

Avocado Caprese Chicken Salad

Ok, y’all we are officially kicking off salad week here at Joyful Healthy Eats.

We got through Easter week and since bikini season is right around the corner, salads seem to become the meal of choice. This Avocado Caprese Chicken Salad may be my new favorite though. You guys know I’m all about salads, I’d have them everyday if I could. (but the hubbie wouldn’t be too thrilled with that) The best part about this Caprese Salad is it takes only 15 minutes to make, and most of that is the cook time for the chicken!

side photo of avocado caprese chicken salad in a bowl

What Is Caprese Salad?

Caprese Salad is an Italian Salad made with fresh mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, fresh basil and then seasoned with olive oil and salt. Traditionally it is not topped with balsamic vinegar, but over the years a balsamic reduction has been served with it. 

What do you eat Caprese Salad with?

  1. Make a Caprese Toast – add some smashed avocado to it and you’ve got yourself breakfast!
  2. Caprese Frittata – add all your favorite caprese ingredients to an egg mixture and make a frittata with it!
  3. Top it on a Pizza – this simple pizza is one of my favorites, drizzle it with a balsamic reduction and it’s a show stopper!
  4. Add the Caprese ingredients to Chicken or Beef.
  5. Make a Caprese Sandwich – warm caprese sandwiches are the best because the cheese is all melty, add some protein to make it more hearty!

Those are just a few ideas when it comes to using the famous Caprese flavors, but honestly the possibilities are endless.

overhead photo of avocado caprese chicken salad in a bowl with balsamic vinaigrette

In today’s recipe we basically put all those same Caprese flavors and threw them in a salad. But I added chicken and some avocado.. because let’s be real… everything is better with avocado!

How to make the BEST Avocado Caprese Chicken Salad?

  1. To make the balsamic dressing: in a small bowl, mix garlic, dry basil, dijon mustard, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Slowly add in olive oil, whisking the entire time until there is no more oil & vinegar separation. Set aside.
  2. Heat grill to medium high heat. Add seasoned chicken breast to grill and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until there is no more pink.
  3. In a large bowl add spring mix, avocado, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, fresh mozzarella balls, and sliced grilled chicken.
  4. Serve with balsamic vinaigrette

close up photo of avocado caprese chicken salad with balsamic dressing in a bowl

Can Caprese Salad be made ahead of time?

In all honesty, probably not because the basil will start to wilt or brown. Caprese Salad is at it’s best when it’s made fresh. If you have leftovers, eat them. It will not keep well the next day!

One of my fun tips when making this salad is to use a salad spinner when cleaning the lettuce. It takes seconds and it’s easy clean up.

overhead photo of avocado caprese chicken salad with balsamic vinaigrette

I cannot wait to hear what you guys think. This is actually an older recipe that I thought needed a facelift on photos. The first time I made it, Cason was too little to eat it but this time he did and let me tell you, my 7 year old son devoured every last bit of it. (even the remaining lettuce on his plate)

I knew that starting off “salad week” it needed to be with a bang and once you try it I think you’ll agree. It’s definitely a light refreshing bang of flavor!

Bon Appetit friends!

close up photo of avocado caprese chicken salad

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overhead photo of avocado caprese chicken salad with balsamic vinaigrette

Avocado Caprese Chicken Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 19 reviews
  • Author: Krista
  • Prep Time: 3 mins
  • Cook Time: 12 mins
  • Total Time: 15 mins
  • Yield: 4 salads 1x
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Mix
  • Cuisine: American

Description

15 Minute Avocado Caprese Chicken Salad drizzled with a light Balsamic Vinaigrette. This quick easy dinner recipe is a fan favorite! Seared chicken, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and creamy avocados topped with shredded basil. 


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 boneless skinless chicken breast
  • salt & pepper to season chicken
  • 1/2 cup of halved fresh mozzarella balls
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 6 cups of fresh spring mix salad
  • 1/2 cup of halved cherry tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup of fresh diced basil

Balsamic Vinaigrette:

  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon of dry basil
  • 1 tablespoon of dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup of olive oil
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, mix garlic, dry basil, dijon mustard, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Slowly add in olive oil, whisking the entire time until there is no more oil & vinegar separation. Set aside.
  2. Heat grill to medium high heat. add seasoned chicken breast to grill and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until there is no more pink.
  3. In a large bowl add spring mix, avocado, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, fresh mozzarella balls, and sliced grilled chicken.
  4. Serve with balsamic vinaigrette


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 salad
  • Calories: 352
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 221 mg
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 11 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 21 g
  • Cholesterol: 64 mg

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A Quick Easy Dinner for two, Avocado Caprese Chicken Salad topped with a light Balsamic Vinaigrette. The perfect Salad recipe for summer that only takes 15 minutes! | joyfulhealthyeats.com #recipe

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61 comments on “15 Minute Avocado Caprese Chicken Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette”

  1. Avatar photo
    Bijendra Singh

    Hey Krista
    After reading your post, I can do it faster because I have everything prepared! : )






  2. Avatar photo
    Shahbeila Brown

    Am I reading correctly that this recipe yields 4 servings? Is the nutrition info for one serving or the whole recipe?

  3. This Salad looks incredible nothing is better than a refreshing colorful salad, even my kids would love this!






  4. I always look for the something that is easy to make and time saving, This Recipe has saved my day and everyone enjoyed it, I am asked to make it again. Thank you






  5. Avatar photo
    pradeep kumar

    thanks for sharing such great dish with us. It is so much tasty and easy to make at home. It’s awesome.

  6. Such a healthy yummy dinner recipe that can be cooked in 15 minutes? really?! Coool…
    Then I am gonna prepare it frequently.






  7. Avatar photo
    Delania Collins

    With my garden in full bloom and more cherry tomatoes and basil than we can use, I decided to try this recipe. My husband is not the biggest fan of tomatoes, but we’ve eaten this four times in two weeks. It’s the perfect blend of flavors. Thank you for sharing.






  8. Silly question but when do you put the mixture of: “mix garlic, dry basil, dijon mustard, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Slowly add in olive oil”? Does this go on the chicken before/while it’s cooking?

    1. That is the dressing, so it will go on top of the salad when everything is prepared.

      And there are no silly questions Melissa, I probably wrote something wonky. (wouldn’t be the first time) 🙂

  9. Your nutritional information has to be off on the caress salad. There’s no way that it’s only 4 grams of protein and 40g of carbs. I think those have been transposed.

    1. Hey Nikki, the numbers are to the right off the word, so the carbs are 10 g and the protein is 26 g. Hope that makes more sense… sorry for the confusion. 🙂

  10. Made these last night for dinner and substituted burrata for the mozzarella. So good! I think the best part was the dressing. Thanks so much for the recipe!

  11. Avatar photo
    Sarah @ Bows and Clothes

    This looks so yummy! I was wondering if you would let me use one of these images for a blog post that I am writing. I am looking for a light, fresh, yummy meal, and this recipe fits the bill. Can I use one of your images and link it back to this blog post? Thanks!

    Sarah
    http://mybowsandclothes.blogspot.com/






    1. Hey Sarah,
      Sure as long as you don’t write the recipe on your blog post that is totally fine. Thanks for asking!

      Krista

  12. Avatar photo
    Andi (The Weary Chef)

    This is my kind of salad, Krista! I love the chicken, cheese, and avocado. I’ll forget I’m even eating salad for dinner when it’s loaded with goodness like that 🙂

  13. Made this last night and it was so, so good! Quickly became a new favorite that even my kids will eat. The vinagerette was amazing. Thank you for a great and easy recipe!

  14. This gorgeous salad laughs in the face of bikini season! If I eat this, I’ll have nothing to worry about! Good luck with the party! Those days were so fun. I’m sure everyone will love it and a great time will be had by everyone-especially the birthday boy!

    1. haha… it sure does! Love it!

      Thanks Tanya, the party was a blast and the kids had so much fun walking the plank and with water gun target practice, only wish hadn’t rained. 🙂

  15. Avatar photo
    Kate @ Diethood

    I could live on this salad! There’s nothing missing! DELICIOUS!
    And, good luck with that party!! I’m of no help – I always wish I could hire people to do all that for me! I was SO meant to be rich… missed my calling, I guess. 😀






    1. haha.. I wish I would have hired someone for this job! Genius! But I will say there is always that ‘sense of accomplishment’ whens its all said and done. 🙂 That and I can take solace in this salad!

  16. Avatar photo
    heather @french press

    Oh My! this is soon to become my favorite go-to summer salad!! and god luck with the party, I’m sure it is going to be terrific

  17. Avatar photo
    Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files

    OMG I can’t function without my planner! We are moving pretty soon and we are refinishing the cabinets. I was told it will take a week. A week?! A week where I am going to have a disorganized kitchen? ITs really gonna test my patience!
    And this salad? You can never go wrong with caprese! Loving the addition of chicken and avocado. I must try 😉

    1. haha… I so feel your pain! If the kitchen is messed up I feel like the rest of the house is messed up!