Chicken Caprese Salad

A simple salad with delicious ingredients!  I stuck to the basics using cherry tomatoes and basil from my own garden, pearl mozzarella, and a simple, but great balsamic vinaigrette; add pan-seared chicken and lettuce and you've got a great and easy salad for any night of the week.  With all the vivid colors this one is great for entertaining too!

Chicken Caprese Salad

Ingredients

Salad

• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 8 cups salad greens of your choice
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup mozzarella pearls (or cubed mozzarella)
• 1/2 cup basil leaves, torn

• Dressing & Marinade

• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp. honey
• 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
• salt & pepper to taste

Serves 4
Cook Time: 15 minutes

​Combine all dressing/marinade ingredients and divide in half; save half for the dressing and pour the remaining half into a zip-top bag with the chicken thighs; marinate for at least two hours or overnight.
Preheat a medium skillet over medium-high heat, when heated add olive oil.  Remove chicken from marinade and pat dry with paper towels; discard marinade.  Sear chicken on both sides, then lower the heat and cover until chicken reaches 165.
Meanwhile, toss salad ingredients together; when chicken is done allow to rest for 10 minutes then thinly slice against the grain and toss into salad.  Drizzle with dressing and serve immediately.