Grilled Caprese Chicken
with zucchini / focaccia
Inspired by the Italian summer salad with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil, this balsamic-marinated chicken is great cooked on the stovetop or out on the grill. If you can find focaccia - an Italian bread made with olive oil - it makes a great side.
Smarts: Any other type of grilled bread will work in place of the focaccia or check out the gluten-free version of this meal which includes corn on the cob on the side instead of bread.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts, boneless and skinless - 1 lb, halved
- Balsamic Vinaigrette (ingredients listed separately) - 2 Tbsp
- Cheese, fresh mozzarella - 3 oz, sliced
- Tomatoes, medium - 1, sliced (preferably heirloom)
- Basil (opt) - 2 sprigs, leaves removed
- Foil - for grilling
- Vinegar, balsamic - 1 1/2 Tbsp
- Mustard, Dijon - 2 tsp
- Honey - 1 tsp
- Oil, cooking - 2 Tbsp
- Zucchini - 1 lb, spears
- Focaccia - 1 loaf, sliced into thick strips (sub any loaf of bread, sliced)
- Balsamic Vinaigrette (ingredients listed separately) - 2 Tbsp
- Oil, olive - 1 Tbsp
Nutrition Facts
Prep
- Make vinaigrette - Whisk together vinegar, mustard, and honey. Add cooking oil while whisking. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
- Marinate chicken - (If prepping right before cooking and using a grill, get grill heating while chicken marinates.) Halve chicken to thin. Combine chicken with vinaigrette (portion for chicken), turning to coat on both sides. Marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 day. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
- Zucchini / Cheese - Prep as directed. Store separately. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
- Focaccia / Tomatoes / Basil - Prep as directed.
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Make
- If cooking on the grill: Heat grill to 425F / 218C degrees, keeping one part over direct heat and one part over indirect heat. Clean grates and brush with some oil.
- Toss zucchini with vinaigrette (portion for zucchini). Season with some salt and pepper.
- Remove chicken from marinade (discard marinade) and season on both sides with some salt and pepper.
- Brush focaccia with olive oil.
- {grill}: Place chicken over direct heat. Sear chicken on both sides until lightly charred. Place a piece of foil over the indirect heat side of the grill. Place chicken on top of foil. Top chicken with cheese and let it continue cooking while cheese melts. (Chicken is cooked through when it reaches 165F / 74C.)
- {grill}: While chicken finishes cooking, place zucchini over direct heat and turn to cook on all sides until tender. In the last few minutes of cooking, add focaccia and cook to lightly toast on all sides.
- If cooking on the stovetop / oven: Turn on the oven’s broiler.
- {stovetop / oven}: Spread olive oil-brushed focaccia out on a sheet pan. Set aside.
- {stovetop / oven}: Heat a large oven-safe skillet or oven-safe grill pan over medium heat. Brush with some oil. Add zucchini and cook on all sides until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Set aside, covered to keep warm. Return pan to heat.
- {stovetop / oven}: Brush pan with some more oil. Sear chicken on both sides until nearly cooked through. Top chicken with cheese and place under the broiler until cheese is melted. Transfer pan with focaccia to the oven at the same time and toast until golden brown, turning to toast on both sides.
- Top chicken with tomato slices and basil leaves. Serve with focaccia and zucchini. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Reviews
Ratings
Most Helpful
I mistakenly thought this was a sandwich and the Olive bread was cut thick and really hard to put in mouth. Haha It would work as a open faced sandwich and will make again NOT as a sandwich. Zucchini was surprisingly delicious!
1 Helpful30 reviews
So good!! I got to use zucchini and tomatoes from my garden and basil from my sister's garden. Super easy and a great summer meal
0 HelpfulI can’t grill so I had to cook this on the stove and it definitely wants a grill. I’d probably pass on the marinade if I can’t grill when cooking again and just go with a balsamic glaze over top for that kick and bake the zucchini. Good meal otherwise.
0 HelpfulI had hoped for more flavor from the marinade, and maybe I didn't marinate it long enough. I will definitely try again, though, as I love the flavor combinations.
0 Helpful