Grilled Chicken Caprese Bowls (Printer-Friendly)

Protein-packed bowls with grilled chicken, mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil topped with sweet balsamic glaze.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grilled Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Caprese Bowls

07 - 2 cups cooked brown rice or quinoa
08 - 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
09 - 8 ounces fresh mozzarella balls, halved
10 - 1 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
11 - 1 cup baby arugula or mixed greens

→ Balsamic Reduction

12 - 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
13 - 1 tablespoon honey

→ Garnish

14 - 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
15 - Flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Method:

01 - In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine balsamic vinegar and honey. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half and syrupy, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
02 - In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, Italian herbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Coat chicken breasts thoroughly. Allow to marinate for 10 to 15 minutes.
03 - Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill chicken for 5 to 7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
04 - Divide cooked rice or quinoa among four bowls. Arrange arugula or greens on top, followed by cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
05 - Place sliced grilled chicken over the salad ingredients in each bowl.
06 - Drizzle extra virgin olive oil and cooled balsamic reduction over each bowl. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in 40 minutes flat, which means weeknight dinner without the stress.
  • The balsamic reduction tastes like you've done something complicated when it's just vinegar and honey doing the heavy lifting.
  • You can meal prep the components and assemble fresh, making it perfect for eating throughout the week.
  • It's naturally gluten-free and protein-packed, so it works whether you're training or just trying to eat better.
02 -
  • Don't skip the rest time after grilling—those five minutes make the difference between dry chicken and juicy chicken, and it's honestly the most important step.
  • Balsamic reduction thickens more as it cools, so take it off the heat when it seems slightly thinner than you want; it'll be perfect once it's cooled to room temperature.
  • Fresh mozzarella needs to be added right before serving or it'll get soggy and pool into the bottom of the bowl.
03 -
  • If your mozzarella is cold from the fridge, let it sit out for 10 minutes before tearing it—it'll be creamier and easier to work with.
  • The difference between good and great balsamic reduction is using real aged balsamic vinegar, not the cheap imitation stuff that tastes like sugar and vinegar separated.
  • Grill your chicken breasts horizontally, or butterfly them if they're thick, so they cook evenly and stay juicy throughout.
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