Zesty Chicken Avocado Caprese Salad Recipe: Fresh Summer Joy

Tangy chicken avocado caprese salad brings summer’s vibrant essence to your plate, bursting with fresh Mediterranean-inspired flavors.

Bright ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of textures and colors that convert an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Green herbs and creamy avocado mingle with tender chicken pieces, offering a delightful protein-packed experience.

Juicy tomatoes add natural sweetness while soft mozzarella provides a luxurious counterpoint to the dish’s crisp components.

The combination delivers a perfect balance of nutrition and indulgence, making this salad both satisfying and light.

Each forkful promises a delightful blend of classic Italian and contemporary culinary techniques.

Culinary magic awaits those ready to elevate their lunch or dinner routine.

Bright and Fresh Chicken Avocado Caprese Salad

• Elevate Your Salad Game: This Chicken Avocado Caprese Salad transforms a simple dish into a culinary masterpiece by combining fresh, vibrant ingredients with perfectly grilled chicken.
• Quick and Effortless Gourmet Meal: The recipe offers a restaurant-quality experience with minimal cooking skills required, delivering a delicious meal in just 20 minutes from start to finish.
• Nutritional Powerhouse Packed with Flavor: Lean grilled chicken, creamy avocado, and protein-rich mozzarella create a balanced dish that's both incredibly satisfying and nutritionally dense, making it ideal for health-conscious food lovers.
• Versatile Summer Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for lunch, dinner, or potlucks, this salad adapts easily to different dietary needs while providing a refreshing and elegant meal that looks as good as it tastes.

Ingredient List for Chicken Avocado Caprese Salad

• Olive Oil: Light, fruity oil perfect for marinating and dressing with a smooth flavor.
• Lemon Juice: Bright, tangy liquid that tenderizes chicken and adds freshness.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides depth and zesty flavor to the marinade.
• Dried Oregano: Herb with earthy notes that enhances overall Mediterranean-style taste.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing other ingredient flavors.

• Chicken Breast: Lean protein that serves as the main component of the salad, best when fresh and boneless.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Soft, mild cheese that adds creamy texture and classic Caprese element.

• Lettuce: Crisp base that provides a fresh foundation for the salad, romaine or mixed greens work well.
• Avocado: Creamy fruit with healthy fats that adds richness and smooth texture.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Sweet, juicy elements that bring bright color and Mediterranean flair.
• Fresh Basil: Aromatic herb that provides a classic Italian garnish and vibrant flavor.

Putting Together Your Chicken Avocado Caprese Salad

Step 1: Prepare Zesty Marinade

Whisk together all marinade ingredients in a small bowl until well combined.

Step 2: Marinate Chicken

Pour of marinade over chicken in a shallow dish, ensuring complete coating. Save remaining marinade for later use.

Step 3: Cook Chicken to Perfection

Heat of oil in a large grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat.

• Grill chicken until golden and crispy
• Sear chicken on both sides
• Ensure chicken is fully cooked through

Let chicken rest after cooking.

Step 4: Slice and Arrange Salad Ingredients

Slice cooked chicken into strips.

• Crisp lettuce
• Creamy avocado slices
• Juicy tomatoes
• Soft mozzarella cheese
• Chicken strips

Garnish with thinly sliced fresh basil.

Step 5: Final Touch and Serve

Drizzle reserved marinade over the salad.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve immediately for the freshest flavor experience.

Tips to Keep Chicken Avocado Caprese Salad Crisp

• Marinate with Purpose: Let chicken soak in the dressing for at least 15-20 minutes to enhance flavor and tenderness.
• Achieve Perfect Sear: Use a hot grill pan and avoid moving chicken while cooking to create beautiful golden-brown caramelization.
• Slice Chicken Strategically: Cut chicken against the grain for maximum juiciness and easier chewing.
• Keep Ingredients Fresh: Prepare avocado and tomatoes just before serving to prevent browning and maintain crisp texture.
• Balance Flavors Wisely: Adjust seasoning gradually, tasting as you go to ensure the perfect salt and pepper ratio without overwhelming the delicate ingredients.

Storing Chicken Avocado Caprese Salad Properly

• Store in Airtight Container: Carefully transfer leftover salad to a sealed glass or plastic container. Separate wet ingredients like avocado and chicken from crisp lettuce to prevent sogginess. Refrigerate within two hours of preparation.
• Consume Quickly: Enjoy refrigerated leftovers within 1-2 days for optimal freshness and flavor. Mozzarella and avocado tend to lose texture rapidly, so consume as soon as possible.
• Gentle Reheating: Warm chicken separately on low heat in a skillet or microwave at 50% power to maintain moisture. Keep lettuce and cold ingredients separate during reheating to preserve their crispness and prevent wilting.

Best Pairings for Chicken Avocado Caprese Salad

• Revive Your Palate with Italian White Wine: Pair this vibrant chicken caprese salad with a crisp pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc. These light, refreshing wines complement the creamy avocado and tangy mozzarella perfectly, cutting through the richness while enhancing the salad's fresh flavors.
• Elevate with Sparkling Water Twist: Add a zesty lemon-infused sparkling water alongside the salad. The effervescence and citrus notes will brighten the dish, providing a clean, palate-cleansing experience that matches the salad's light and summery profile.
• Boost Flavor with Crusty Bread: Serve a slice of toasted ciabatta or rustic sourdough alongside the salad. The bread's crispy texture and subtle tanginess will soak up the dressing, adding an extra dimension to each bite and making the meal more satisfying.
• Complement with Herb-Infused Olive Oil: Drizzle some high-quality extra virgin olive oil infused with basil or oregano over the salad. This will intensify the herbal notes and provide a luxurious, Mediterranean-inspired finishing touch that enhances the overall taste experience.

Add a Twist to Chicken Avocado Caprese Salad

• Mediterranean Fusion: Swap chicken for grilled lamb, add kalamata olives, and use a lemon-oregano dressing for a Greek-inspired version.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Replace mozzarella with pepper jack cheese, add black beans, corn, and drizzle with chipotle-lime marinade for a zesty kick.
• Asian-Inspired Remix: Substitute chicken with grilled teriyaki salmon, include mandarin orange segments, and use a sesame-ginger dressing for an eastern flair.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Swap chicken with grilled tofu or roasted chickpeas, keep the avocado and caprese elements, and use a balsamic herb dressing for a plant-based alternative.

Chicken Avocado Caprese Salad Recipe

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4.5 from 31 reviews

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

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Description

Chicken avocado caprese salad merges Mediterranean freshness with hearty protein in one delightful dish. Succulent grilled chicken, creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, and smooth mozzarella create a light yet satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 4 chicken thigh fillets, skin removed (no bone)

Fresh Produce:

• 5 cups romaine lettuce leaves, washed and dried
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, sliced
• ¼ cup basil leaves, thinly sliced

Dressing and Cheese:

• ¼ cup (60 mL) balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons (30 mL) olive oil
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ cup mini mozzarella / bocconcini cheese balls
• Salt and pepper, to season

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Instructions

1. Prepare the marinade by thoroughly whisking all liquid ingredients until well blended and smooth.
2. Transfer chicken into a shallow container and generously coat with of the prepared marinade, ensuring complete and even coverage. Set aside the remaining marinade for final dressing.
3. Warm of cooking oil in a large grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat, creating a hot cooking surface.
4. Cook chicken fillets, searing each side until achieving a golden-brown exterior and ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius), indicating complete cooking.
5. Allow cooked chicken to rest for 3-5 minutes, which helps retain moisture and allows internal juices to redistribute.
6. Slice rested chicken into uniform, thin strips approximately 1/4 inch (0.6 centimeters) wide.
7. Construct the salad by layering crisp lettuce as the base, then artfully arrange avocado slices, halved cherry tomatoes, and cubed fresh mozzarella cheese.
8. Strategically place chicken strips across the salad’s surface for visual appeal and balanced flavor distribution.
9. Garnish with delicately julienned fresh basil leaves.
10. Drizzle the reserved marinade over the salad, season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper according to personal preference.
11. Serve immediately to maintain optimal temperature and ingredient freshness.

Notes

• Marinate chicken for enhanced flavor by coating with 4 tablespoons of dressing before cooking.
• Sear chicken over medium-high heat until golden and fully cooked for optimal texture and taste.
• Allow chicken to rest after cooking to retain juices and ensure tenderness.
• Use fresh, ripe avocados and tomatoes for the best salad quality and vibrant presentation.
• Layer ingredients strategically to create a visually appealing and balanced dish.
• Drizzle reserved marinade just before serving to keep salad ingredients crisp and flavorful.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 365 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg