Showcase your fresh, sun-ripened tomatoes and garden vegetables with our 30 Minute Caprese Salad. This quick and simple salad is delicious served with or without chicken.

What’S IN it?

Caprese salad is a perfect blend of all that summer has to offer: grilled chicken, fresh greens, juicy tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella cheese. Top it off with fresh basil, olive oil, and balsamic glaze and you’ve got a match made in heaven – or Capri!

where’s it from?

The island of Capri has been a luxury resort destination since the time of the Romans and is the home of the Caprese Salad. “Caprese” in Italian means “Capri style” or “of Capri” and is pronounced “kuh-prey-zey.”

What’s the salad story?

Some say a patriotic stoneworker in the 1920’s created this salad to show off the red, white, and green of the Italian flag. Others say a restaurant chef first served it. Caprese Salad exploded in popularity in the 1950’s, when King Farouk of Egypt visited Capri and was served the salad at an exclusive hotel. 


Whatever the story is, we enjoy celebrating the flavors and colors of this favorite summer salad. 30 Minute Caprese Salad is the perfect dinner for this time of year, when tomatoes are fresh and we’re still firing up the grill. 

Lets talk ingredients!

Chicken: Simply season, grill, and slice. Swap in rotisserie chicken if you’re short on time. 

Greens: This recipe highlights your favorite combination of greens. You choose!

Tomatoes: Grab from your garden or local farmers market. Fresh tomatoes taste like packaged sunshine. 

Fresh mozzarella: We enjoy the convenience of mozzarella pearls. This small, marble-sized cheese is so pretty, as well as smooth and mild in flavor. 

Basil: Look for basil in the produce section, where it’s often available potted. One plant can be used for many recipes, adding a bright Mediterranean flavor. 

Avocados: To speed up the ripening process, put unripe avocados in a paper bag with an apple or banana and place in a sunny window. Avocados are smooth and buttery, with a sweet, nutty flavor. 

Olive oil, lemon juice, and balsamic glaze: What could be more Italian than this flavor combination? Balsamic glaze, or “balsamic reduction,” is a concentrated, sweetened vinegar that tastes fantastic with vegetables, meat, and even fruit.

Caprese Salad can be served as a main course meal when loaded with vegetables, mozzarella, and chicken. Leave out the chicken and it’s a beautiful side salad that perfectly accompanies so many summertime meals.

We often pair this salad with two of our favorite ABK recipes – ABK Soft Herb Breadsticks and No Churn Fresh Lemon Ice Cream. These two recipes are easily made ahead of time and will be waiting to complete your summertime spread. Buon appetito!

30 Minute Caprese Salad

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Author: Si Foster
Course: brunch, Dinner, lunch, Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Enjoy this Italian favorite

Ingredients 

  • 1 ½ pounds chicken breasts
  • ½ cup olive oil, divided
  • 8-10 cups greens: spinach, romaine, or leaf lettuce, washed and chopped
  • 2 cups tomatoes, chopped, or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls, or fresh mozzarella, cut into chunks
  • 1 cup fresh basil, washed and sliced
  • 1-2 avocados
  • 1 lemon
  • Balsamic glaze
  • Kosher salt
  • Ground pepper

Instructions

  • Generously salt and pepper chicken breasts on both sides. Drizzle each piece of chicken with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
  • Grill over medium heat, turning once, until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Remove from heat.
  • Slice chicken into thin pieces.
  • When ready to serve, or within an hour of serving, slice avocados and place in a bowl. Squeeze juice from lemon over the avocados. Fold gently to coat.
  • Divide salad greens onto 4 plates or one serving platter or bowl. Pour excess lemon juice from the bowl of avocados over greens.
  • Arrange chicken, tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and avocados on salad greens.
  • Drizzle ¼ cup olive oil over salad, followed by balsamic glaze.
  • Generously top with kosher salt and ground pepper.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Rotisserie chicken may be used in place of grilled chicken. 
Any combination of greens may be used. 
Try this salad as a delicious pita sandwich or wrap!

Did you make this recipe?

Be sure to leave a comment and give this recipe a rating, letting me know how you liked it. I’d love to see a photo, tag @abountifulkitchen on Instagram!