This chicken caprese salad is the 15-minute dinner you need in your life this summer! It’s so easy to put together, with seared chicken, fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and creamy avocado to make it satisfying.
Caprese salad is a classic Italian dish made with fresh mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, and basil. It’s dressed simply with olive oil and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, letting all those fresh flavors shine. This chicken caprese salad is inspired by that recipe, but I add grilled chicken and avocado to make it a satisfying meal. And let’s be real: everything is better with avocado!
Why This Chicken Caprese Salad Is the Perfect Summer Meal
You guys know I’m all about salads. I’d have them everyday if I could! But the best part about this chicken caprese salad is that it takes only 15 minutes to make, and most of that is the cook time for the chicken.
- Fresh and summery. Ripe, juicy tomatoes, basil, and creamy mozzarella make this salad taste like summer on a plate.
- Protein-packed. Layering grilled chicken into the classic caprese equation takes it from starter or side to proper main dish.
- Bright, tangy dressing. I use my favorite balsamic vinaigrette; by tossing the salad in the dressing rather than just drizzling on some balsamic glaze, you get that tangy flavor in every bite!
What You’ll Need
This chicken caprese salad is made with fresh, wholesome ingredients. Scroll down to the recipe card for exact measurements.
- Chicken breast – Using boneless skinless chicken breast keeps it easy.
- Salt and pepper – To season the chicken.
- Fresh mozzarella balls – You can also buy a big ball of fresh mozzarella and cube it. Just don’t use shredded mozzarella, which doesn’t have the same creamy texture.
- Avocado – Adds richness and a buttery texture.
- Spring mix – To bulk up the salad and make it a meal.
- Cherry tomatoes – Grape tomatoes would also work.
- Fresh basil – Essential for caprese flavor.
- Balsamic vinaigrette – Balsamic vinegar and olive oil form the base, with garlic, dried basil, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper to make it tasty.
How to Make Chicken Caprese Salad
This salad comes together in just a few easy steps.
- Make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together minced garlic, dried basil, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.
- Grill the chicken. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Season the chicken breast with salt and pepper, then grill for 5–6 minutes per side, or until fully cooked through.
- Slice the chicken. Remove from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
- Assemble the salad. In a large bowl, add spring mix, diced avocado, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, mozzarella balls, and sliced chicken.
- Serve. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette or serve it on the side.
Serving Suggestions
This salad is a full meal on its own, but if you want to incorporate it into a meal, try it with:
- Bread Dipping Oil and focaccia or crusty bread
- Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta
- Add it to flatbread like in this Charred Corn Caprese Flatbread
Storage
Store the chicken caprese salad components separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days.
Once you’ve dressed the salad, the greens will wilt; it will still keep in the fridge for about a day, but you can add more greens to freshen things up a bit before serving.
More Fresh Salad Recipes
Caprese Chicken Salad With Avocado
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 salads 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mix
- Cuisine: American
Description
This easy chicken caprese salad turns the classic recipe into a complete meal by layering in grilled chicken, greens, and creamy avocado.
Ingredients
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- In a large bowl add spring mix, avocado, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, fresh mozzarella balls, and sliced grilled chicken.
- 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
62 comments on “Chicken Caprese Salad With Avocado”
Hi, how heavy is the 1pc chicken breast in grams ?So that measurement u give yield 4serve? (21gr protein?) or??
New to nutritional counting!
Hey Krista
After reading your post, I can do it faster because I have everything prepared! : )
I am so glad the post helped and that you enjoyed this recipe!
I’ll must try the recipe, thanks for sharing!
This was so easy to make and was excellent!
Am I reading correctly that this recipe yields 4 servings? Is the nutrition info for one serving or the whole recipe?
Yes, that is correct. The nutritional value is for one serving.
I am LOVING all the flavors in this salad. Trying this for my lunches!
This is my kind of salad! Absolutely LOVE all the fresh flavors!
This Salad looks incredible nothing is better than a refreshing colorful salad, even my kids would love this!
This is GORGEOUS!!! What a beautiful and delicious lunch!
So so so so yummy!!! Thanks for my favorite new summer recipe! 🙂
Could that salad be any more beautiful? I think this will become my go to salad!
I love all things caprese!!! Such a delicious salad!
This would be such a great dinner option all summer long! So fresh and filling.
I have shared this recipe with my friends you’re amazing thanks for one….
oh that’s awesome!
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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
thanks so much!
great recipes, I want to try it, terimakaih already share. I think this is very good
Thanks so much for the nice article.
Thanks to sharing with us this impressive article it really helpful
thanks for sharing such great dish with us. It is so much tasty and easy to make at home. It’s awesome.
Such a healthy yummy dinner recipe that can be cooked in 15 minutes? really?! Coool…
Then I am gonna prepare it frequently.
How many ounces is the “one chicken breast” thst was used in your nutrition calculation?
hey jennifer, I used 4 oz.
Those are adorable Krista! Pinned and making soon!
Thanks girl!
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.
Hurray! So glad to hear it Delania! This is the perfect recipe to use up those garden goods. 🙂
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?
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) 🙂
This looks delicious! Pinned and making soon!
Awesome! Thanks so much Missy, enjoy it girl!
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.
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. 🙂
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!
ohhh.. great idea on the burrata!!! So glad you enjoyed it Charisa!
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/
Hey Sarah,
Sure as long as you don’t write the recipe on your blog post that is totally fine. Thanks for asking!
Krista
Your welcome Sarah!
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 🙂
haha.. i know right! Best kinda salad ever!
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!
absolutely kimberly, so glad you AND your kids liked it! 🙂
This looks delicious! I could definitely see it becoming my go-to summer salad!
Thanks so much Cathy!
Beautiful salad! Looks delicious 🙂
Thanks so much Sheryl!
This is GORGEOUS!!! What a beautiful and delicious lunch!
Thanks so much Becky, it is most definitely the perfect summer lunch!
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!
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. 🙂
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. 😀
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!
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
It so will Heather and thank you! I need all the lucky I can get!
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 😉
haha… I so feel your pain! If the kitchen is messed up I feel like the rest of the house is messed up!
15 minutes and some of my favorite flavors–in love with this one!
Hurray! Pumped I hit the nail on the head. 🙂