There’s something about the fresh, vibrant flavors of a Caprese salad that just sings summertime, but adding grilled chicken and creamy burrata takes it up a notch. This Grilled Chicken Caprese with Burrata Recipe combines juicy, smoky chicken with luscious burrata and bright tomatoes—trust me, it’s as delicious as it sounds!
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Grilled Chicken Caprese with Burrata Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Grilled Chicken Caprese with Burrata Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Grilled Chicken Caprese with Burrata Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I've been making this recipe for years now, and every time it’s a hit—whether it’s a relaxed weeknight dinner or a casual alfresco gathering with friends. The combination of smoky grilled chicken and soft burrata cheese brings out unique flavors that marry beautifully with fresh basil and tangy tomatoes.
- Fresh Flavor Explosion: The brightness of basil and tomatoes paired with creamy burrata keeps each bite exciting.
- Simple But Elegant: With few ingredients and minimal prep, it feels like a fancy meal without the fuss.
- Perfect for Any Season: Light enough for summer but satisfying enough year-round with grilled chicken.
- Customizable Touches: Easy to tweak with whatever fresh herbs or seasonal tomatoes you have on hand.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient plays a special role here. The chicken is juicy and tender thanks to the marinade, while the tomatoes and basil bring freshness. Burrata adds that irresistible creaminess, and the balsamic glaze ties it all together with just the right amount of sweet acidity.
- Balsamic vinegar: Use a good quality one or opt for store-bought glaze to boost the glaze’s rich, sweet tang.
- Extra virgin olive oil: This is essential both for flavor and to help the marinade do its magic on the chicken.
- Dried Italian seasoning: Brings that classic herb blend that perfectly complements the Caprese elements.
- Honey: Just a touch balances the balsamic’s acidity in the marinade.
- Fine salt & black pepper: Basic but critical seasoning that enhances every component.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Pounded to an even thickness to ensure they grill evenly and stay juicy.
- Cherry or grape tomatoes: Sweet, bite-sized, and bursting with juice—halved for ideal salad texture.
- Fresh basil leaves: Thinly sliced, it brings vibrant, peppery notes that brighten the dish.
- Fresh burrata cheese: The star that’s creamy, milky, and adds that indulgent touch everyone loves.
Make It Your Way
I like to tweak this Grilled Chicken Caprese with Burrata Recipe depending on the season and who I’m feeding. It’s super flexible, so feel free to add a little kick with chili flakes or swap out balsamic glaze for a lemon vinaigrette if you want something fresher and lighter.
- Variation: One time, I tried swapping burrata for fresh mozzarella—still delicious, but the creamy texture of burrata really steals the show.
- Herb swaps: Try using fresh oregano or thyme alongside basil for a different herbaceous fragrance.
- Grill alternatives: If you don’t have a grill, a grill pan on the stove works great, and I’ll share tips below for grilling indoors.
- Make it vegetarian: Skip the chicken, and pile up burrata on grilled veggies like zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers for a veggie-packed spin.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Grilled Chicken Caprese with Burrata Recipe
Step 1: Whip up the Balsamic Glaze and Marinade
If you’re making your balsamic glaze from scratch, I usually start here. Simmer half a cup of balsamic vinegar gently until it’s reduced by half. It thickens and sweetens as it cools. While it chills, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, honey, salt, and pepper for your marinade. This combo gives the chicken a nice balance of sweet and tangy flavors with a hint of herbs.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken
Drop your evenly pounded chicken breasts into the marinade and give them a couple of turns so every side gets coated. Pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes but up to 8 hours if you plan ahead—you’ll find it tastes way better after some time soaking in all those flavors.
Step 3: Get Grilling (or Stove-Top Searing)
Preheat your grill to medium-high (about 400°F). Take the chicken out and let excess marinade drip off—don’t toss that marinade though, discard it to avoid contamination. Place the chicken on the grill, start on indirect heat for 5-6 minutes, then flip and continue cooking until no pink remains inside, about 4-6 more minutes. The key here is patience and not flipping too often so you get those beautiful grill marks and juicy meat.
Step 4: Prepare the Cherry Tomato Salad
While the chicken cooks, toss halved cherry tomatoes with olive oil and a pinch of salt—you want to keep that fresh tomato burst. Then fold in your thinly sliced basil leaves gently, so they don’t bruise but still infuse their fragrant aroma.
Step 5: Assemble and Serve
Place the grilled chicken on plates and top each piece with creamy burrata quarters, then spoon over the tomato basil mixture. Drizzle your balsamic glaze artfully on top and finish with flaky sea salt and black pepper. Serve immediately for the best contrast between warm chicken and cool creamy burrata.
Top Tip
I’ve made this dish dozens of times, and a few tricks have dramatically improved my results. These tips will help you nail that perfect juicy chicken and vibrant Caprese flavors every time.
- Even Thickness Matters: Pounding your chicken breasts ensures even cooking so you don’t end up with dry edges or undercooked centers.
- Marinating Time: I learned that letting chicken marinate overnight adds depth, but if you’re short on time, 30 minutes still works well.
- Don’t Skip Resting: After grilling, let the chicken rest a few minutes before cutting—it keeps juices locked inside.
- Use Fresh Burrata: The creamy texture and mild flavor of burrata really elevate the whole dish—don’t substitute with cheddar or hard cheeses.
How to Serve Grilled Chicken Caprese with Burrata Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle flaky sea salt and cracked black pepper right before serving—it makes the flavors pop. Sometimes I add a scatter of fresh basil leaves for an extra fragrant touch. If I’m feeling fancy, a little drizzle of high-quality olive oil on top finishes it off beautifully.
Side Dishes
This recipe shines with simple sides. I usually serve it alongside a crisp green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette or garlic-roasted asparagus. Occasionally, some crusty bread to soak up every bit of balsamic glaze and olive oil rounds out the meal wonderfully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, I’ve arranged the chicken slices on a large platter topped with burrata and tomato salad, then garnished with fresh herbs and edible flowers. It looks elegant and encourages everyone to serve themselves. Also, layering the chicken and toppings on toasted baguette slices turns this into an irresistible appetizer.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover grilled chicken keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. I like to store the tomato salad and burrata separately to keep their textures fresh. When ready to eat, just assemble again for optimal freshness.
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing the burrata, as its creamy texture changes dramatically. The grilled chicken can be frozen on its own for up to 2 months wrapped tightly. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To keep chicken juicy, I reheat it gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or broth, covered, to prevent drying out. Avoid microwaving if possible as it toughens the meat. Assemble the burrata and tomato salad fresh after reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! You can simmer the balsamic vinegar to make the glaze up to 4 days in advance. Just keep it in an airtight container in the fridge and drizzle when ready to serve.
No worries! A grill pan or cast-iron skillet on the stove works just fine. Just preheat it well and cook the chicken similarly, watching for doneness and getting some nice sear marks.
You can substitute fresh mozzarella, but it lacks the creamy, milky richness burrata brings. If you want a similar effect, try adding a little ricotta on top of mozzarella slices.
Marinate the chicken for a minimum of 30 minutes, but for best flavor, I recommend up to 8 hours. The longer it marinates, the more flavorful and tender it becomes.
Final Thoughts
This Grilled Chicken Caprese with Burrata Recipe has become one of my go-to dishes whenever I want something that tastes like a treat but doesn’t take all night to prepare. Its simple ingredients and straightforward steps make it approachable, yet the flavors come together so beautifully that it feels special. I hope you give it a try soon — it’s truly one of those recipes that’s easy to fall in love with.
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Grilled Chicken Caprese with Burrata Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
This Grilled Chicken Caprese with Burrata is a delicious and refreshing twist on a classic Caprese salad. Featuring tender grilled chicken breasts topped with creamy burrata cheese and a vibrant tomato-basil salad, all drizzled with a homemade balsamic glaze. Perfect for an easy and satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Balsamic Glaze
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar (or use a store bought balsamic glaze)
Marinade
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon pure honey
- ½ teaspoon fine salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Chicken
- 1 to 1 ¼ lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to ¾-inch thickness and cut into 4 portions (if using 2 large breasts)
Tomato Salad
- 1 pint (2 cups) cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- Pinch of fine salt
- ⅓ to ½ cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
Toppings
- 1 8-ounce or 2 4-ounce balls fresh burrata cheese, drained and cut into quarters or halves, depending on size (4 portions total)
- Flaky sea salt (for sprinkling)
- Black pepper (for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Make the Balsamic Glaze: Add the balsamic vinegar to a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and simmer until reduced by half, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and allow to cool. It will thicken as it cools. This can be made up to 4 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Prepare the Marinade: In a shallow bowl or glass pie plate, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, honey, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken pieces and turn them 2 to 3 times to coat both sides. Nestle the chicken into the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes up to 8 hours.
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan on medium-high heat (400℉).
- Grill the Chicken: Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off, and discard leftover marinade. Place chicken on grill grate over indirect heat and cook for 5-6 minutes. Flip and cook an additional 4-6 minutes until cooked through and no longer pink in the thickest part. Transfer chicken to a clean plate.
- Prepare the Tomato Salad: In a medium bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Toss gently, then fold in sliced basil.
- Assemble and Serve: Top each chicken breast with a 2-ounce portion of burrata and ½ cup of the tomato-basil mixture. Drizzle with 1-2 teaspoons balsamic glaze and sprinkle with flaky sea salt and black pepper. Serve immediately.
Notes
- This recipe provides a sweet, savory, and refreshing meal without being heavy, perfect for an easy weeknight dinner any time of the year.
- You can make the balsamic glaze in advance and store it, saving prep time on the day you serve the dish.
- If you don’t have fresh burrata, fresh mozzarella can be used as a substitute though it won’t be as creamy.
- Pounding the chicken breasts to an even ¾-inch thickness ensures even grilling and tenderness.
- Use fresh basil for the best flavor in the tomato salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 375 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 260 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 87 mg
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