I absolutely love homegrown tomatoes and think they are one of the best things about summer. I always grow little cherry tomatoes on my patio in pots and checkout local farmers markets or even Whole Foods for delicious big, juicy heirloom tomatoes. These tomatoes are the star of this recipe and combined with the chicken make a flavorful, light dinner that is perfect for a weeknight. I originally planned to grill the chicken but 95 degrees just seemed too hot for grilling. So instead I tried cooking the chicken in the air fryer and it worked out great. It was super fast and the chicken stayed nice and juicy. I think it will be my new go to way for cooking chicken breasts.
Balsamic Chicken and Caprese Salad
Easy balsamic marinade with a tomato, mozzarella and fresh basil salad
Ingredients
Balsamic chicken
- 1 1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 5 leaves basil
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 chicken breasts
Caprese Salad
- 1 large heirloom tomato
- 4-5 cherry tomatoes
- 6 slices fresh mozzarella
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 10 basil leaves
- drizzle olive oil
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Make the marinade for the chicken by mixing together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, cut up basil leaves, minced clove of garlic and salt and pepper. Stir until all combined. Pour over chicken breasts in a plastic bag. Seal the bag and massage the marinade into the chicken. Allow to sit for 15 minutes.
- After the chicken has marinated place in the basket of an air fryer. Cook at 400 F for 12-15 minutes until cooked all the way through. If you don't have an air fryer you can grill it, pan fry it or cook in the oven.
- While the chicken is cooking place 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar in a small pan and heat over medium heat for 10 minutes until reduced to a thick sauce. Be sure to swirl the pan every couple of minutes so it doesn't burn. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes. They also make store bought balsamic reduction or glaze that you can use as well.
- Assemble the salad by layering slices of the heirloom tomato with mozzarella cheese onto two plates. Add the cherry tomatoes cut in half and the basil leaves evenly amongst both plates. Drizzle olive oil over the tomatoes and the balsamic reduction. Season with salt and pepper.
- Slice the chicken and enjoy alongside the salad.
