Description
Balsamic Chicken With Caprese Salsa features tender, juicy chicken breasts marinated in a flavorful balsamic and lemon mixture, pan-seared to perfection, and topped with a fresh, vibrant caprese salsa made of cherry tomatoes, avocado, mozzarella pearls, basil, and shallots.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to an even thickness
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ medium lemon, juiced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 cup (255 g) balsamic vinegar
- 2 cups (298 g) cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 1 medium ripe avocado, peeled, pitted, diced
- 1 cup mini mozzarella cheese pearls
- ½ cup (12 g) basil leaves, minced
- 2 small shallots, finely diced
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, kosher salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Place the chicken breasts into a large zip-lock bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken and turn the bag to coat evenly. Refrigerate for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse the meat.
- In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, pour in the balsamic vinegar. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir occasionally and simmer until the vinegar reduces by half and thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and let it cool; it will continue to thicken.
- Transfer the marinated chicken breasts along with the marinade to a large skillet heated over medium-high heat. Cook the breasts undisturbed for 6-8 minutes until golden. Flip and cook the other side for another 6-8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring the chicken is fully cooked and juicy. Remove from heat.
- In a bowl, combine quartered cherry tomatoes, diced avocado, mini mozzarella pearls, minced basil, and finely diced shallots. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss gently to mix all ingredients well.
- Place each cooked chicken breast on a plate and generously top with the fresh caprese salsa. Drizzle some of the cooled balsamic reduction over the chicken and salsa for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Feel free to adjust the seasoning according to your preference.
- For added flavor, let the chicken marinate longer than 20 minutes.
- This dish pairs well with a side of greens or crusty bread.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Seared
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with salsa
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg