There’s something about the creamy richness of burrata paired with juicy grilled chicken and fresh tomatoes that just sings on a warm evening. This Grilled Chicken Caprese with Burrata Recipe is a beautiful blend of fresh and indulgent flavors that makes weeknight dinners feel special—and the best part? It’s easier than it looks!
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 remember the first time I tried making this dish—it was a total game changer. The balsamic glaze brings that perfect touch of sweetness, and pairing grilled chicken with luscious burrata cheese always feels so gourmet without needing hours in the kitchen.
- Balanced Flavors: The tangy balsamic and fresh basil brighten up the chicken, while the burrata adds creamy richness that melts in your mouth.
- Quick and Easy: It’s perfect for busy nights because the chicken marinates quickly and cooks fast on the grill.
- Fresh Ingredients: A recipe that highlights simple, fresh ingredients you can find year-round at your local market.
- Impress Without Stress: This looks stunning plated and tastes like you spent hours, but it’s really straightforward to prepare.
Ingredients & Why They Work
What makes this Grilled Chicken Caprese with Burrata Recipe so special is how each ingredient plays its role perfectly—fresh tomatoes and basil lend brightness, marinated chicken is juicy and flavorful, and burrata ties it all together with a creamy finish.
- Balsamic vinegar: Whether you make your own glaze or buy it, this provides that sweet, tangy vibe that complements the chicken and tomatoes.
- Extra virgin olive oil: It adds silkiness and helps carry the flavors throughout the marinade and salad.
- Dried Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that brings depth and a subtle Mediterranean kick to the chicken.
- Honey: Just a touch balances the vinegar acidity and brings a delicate sweetness to the marinade.
- Salt & black pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing every other flavor.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Pounded evenly—they grill quickly and stay juicy if you don't overcook.
- Cherry or grape tomatoes: Small, sweet, and juicy—they burst with freshness and pair beautifully with basil.
- Fresh basil: The unmistakable aroma and flavor make the salad truly feel summery and bright.
- Fresh burrata cheese: Creamy, soft, and utterly indulgent—the crowning glory of this dish.
Make It Your Way
This recipe is so versatile—you can easily customize it to suit your taste or what’s in season. I like to add a little chili flake when I want some heat, but you can keep it classic or even swap the burrata for fresh mozzarella if that’s what you have on hand.
- Variation: One time I tossed in some grilled zucchini and bell peppers with the chicken to bulk it up for a heartier meal. The flavors blended beautifully!
Step-by-Step: How I Make Grilled Chicken Caprese with Burrata Recipe
Step 1: Make the Balsamic Glaze
Start by simmering the balsamic vinegar until it reduces by half—about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir it occasionally and watch it thicken into a syrupy glaze. This step is worth doing ahead because it adds a lovely sweet tang that takes this dish from great to unforgettable.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken
Whisk together olive oil, extra vinegar, Italian seasoning, honey, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. Coat the chicken pieces well and pop them in the fridge to marinate for at least 30 minutes. Don’t skip this part—it’s what gives the chicken its juicy flavor.
Step 3: Grill the Chicken
Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high. Place chicken over indirect heat and cook 5-6 minutes, then flip and cook until it’s no longer pink inside—about 4-6 more minutes. Letting the chicken rest briefly after grilling will keep it tender and juicy.
Step 4: Prepare the Tomato-Basil Salad
While the chicken grills, toss halved cherry tomatoes with olive oil, a pinch of salt, and fresh basil. This simple salad bursts with flavor and adds freshness that perfectly balances the richness of the burrata.
Step 5: Assemble and Serve
Top each grilled chicken portion with a generous piece of burrata, a mound of the tomato-basil salad, and drizzle the balsamic glaze over everything. Finish with flaky sea salt and black pepper for a restaurant-worthy presentation.
Top Tip
From my experience making this Grilled Chicken Caprese with Burrata Recipe, a few small things can make a big difference, so I want to share my favorite tips to help you nail it every time.
- Even Thickness Matters: Pounding the chicken breasts to about ¾-inch thickness helps them cook evenly and stay juicy.
- Don’t Skip the Rest: Let the grilled chicken rest for 5 minutes before topping it with burrata; this keeps the cheese from melting into the plate too quickly and lets the juices redistribute.
- Use Fresh Burrata: I’ve tried substitutes, but fresh burrata really makes this dish shine with its creamy texture and delicate flavor.
- Homemade Glaze Rocks: Making the balsamic glaze yourself is simple and way more flavorful than store-bought, plus you control the sweetness.
How to Serve Grilled Chicken Caprese with Burrata Recipe
Garnishes
I love finishing this dish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper—the small crunch and seasoning contrast beautifully with the creamy burrata. Sometimes, I add a tiny drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for a glossy finish that looks as good as it tastes.
Side Dishes
To round out the meal, I often serve this with a light arugula salad tossed with lemon or a simple crusty bread to soak up all those delicious juices. Grilled asparagus or roasted baby potatoes make great sides if you want something a bit heartier.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, I like layering the chicken on a large platter and topping each piece with burrata and tomato salad, then drizzling the balsamic glaze artistically over the top. It always wows my guests and is easy to serve family-style.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover grilled chicken and tomato salad can be stored separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually hold off adding the burrata until serving so it stays fresh and creamy.
Freezing
I generally don’t freeze this dish because the burrata texture changes when thawed, but you can freeze the marinated chicken uncooked. Just grill it fresh for best results.
Reheating
Reheat leftover grilled chicken gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or in the oven at 300℉ to keep it tender. Add fresh burrata after warming instead of reheating it with the chicken.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! A grill pan works wonderfully if you don’t have an outdoor grill. Just preheat it on medium-high and cook the chicken the same way, turning carefully to get those lovely grill marks.
The best way is to use an instant-read thermometer; it should register 165°F in the thickest part. If you don’t have one, make sure the juices run clear and the meat is no longer pink when cut.
Yes! The balsamic glaze can be made up to 4 days ahead and stored in the fridge. You can also marinate the chicken up to 8 hours ahead. However, it’s best to add the burrata and tomato salad just before serving for maximum freshness.
Fresh mozzarella works as a good substitute, though it’s less creamy than burrata. Burrata’s soft interior adds a unique richness that’s hard to beat, so if you can track it down, I recommend it for the authentic experience.
Final Thoughts
This Grilled Chicken Caprese with Burrata Recipe holds a special place in my dinner repertoire because it’s comfort food without heaviness, and it always feels a little festive—even on a regular Tuesday. I think you’ll love how simple yet impressive it is, and once you taste how those fresh ingredients shine together, it might just become a weeknight favorite in your home too.
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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 combines juicy grilled chicken breasts with fresh cherry tomatoes, basil, and creamy burrata cheese. Finished with a homemade balsamic glaze, it's a delicious and easy-to-make dinner perfect for any season.
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 – 1 ¼ lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to ¾-inch thickness and cut into 4 portions
Tomato Salad
- 1 pint (2 cups) cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- Pinch of fine salt
- ⅓ – ½ cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
Topping
- 1 8-ounce or 2 4-ounce ball(s) fresh burrata cheese, drained and cut into quarters or halves (4 portions total)
- Balsamic glaze for drizzling
- Flaky sea salt and black pepper for seasoning
Instructions
- Make Balsamic Glaze: Add the ½ cup balsamic vinegar to a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring it to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer until reduced by half, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let cool; the glaze will thicken as it cools. This can be done up to 4 days ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Prepare Marinade: Whisk together 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, honey, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl. Add the chicken pieces, turning them 2 to 3 times to coat evenly. Nestle the chicken in the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.
- Preheat Grill: Heat an outdoor grill or grill pan over medium-high heat (400°F).
- Grill Chicken: Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off, and discard leftover marinade. Place chicken on grill over indirect heat and cook for 5-6 minutes. Flip and continue cooking another 4-6 minutes until no longer pink in the center. Transfer chicken to a clean plate.
- Make Tomato Salad: While chicken cooks, combine cherry tomatoes, 2 teaspoons olive oil, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl. Toss gently, then fold in sliced basil.
- Assemble and Serve: Top each grilled chicken piece with 2 ounces 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 offers a flavorful twist on classic Caprese salad using grilled chicken and creamy burrata.
- The homemade balsamic glaze can be prepared ahead to save time.
- Marinating the chicken from 30 minutes up to 8 hours enhances flavor and tenderness.
- Use a grill pan if an outdoor grill is not available.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor balance.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (¼ of recipe)
- 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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