Grilled Chicken Caprese brings together the bright, traditional flavors of a classic Caprese salad with the smoky charm of a pellet grill. Tender, herb-seasoned chicken is topped with ripe Roma tomatoes, creamy buffalo mozzarella, and fresh basil, then finished with a sweet-tangy balsamic reduction. It’s an elegant yet simple dish that works for weeknight dinners or casual summer entertaining.
Traeger Grilled Chicken Caprese Recipe
This Grilled Chicken Caprese recipe is a fresh, crowd-pleasing choice for warm weather meals. It’s straightforward to prepare and highlights seasonal tomatoes and basil, but it’s just as satisfying any time you can find good produce. The combination of herb-seasoned chicken, melted mozzarella, juicy tomato slices, and a balsamic drizzle creates a balanced plate of savory, creamy, and bright flavors.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
- Fresh and Flavorful – Classic Italian ingredients that play well together.
- Healthy and Filling – Lean grilled chicken complemented by a modest amount of cheese for richness.
- Quick to Make – Ready in about 30 minutes, ideal for busy evenings.
- Impressive Presentation – Simple layering delivers a dish that looks as good as it tastes.
- Flexible – Easily adapted for oven or stovetop if you don’t use a pellet grill.
Recipe Shopping List
Before you start, gather the essentials. For the exact amounts, see the ingredient list in the recipe card below. Aim for evenly sized chicken breasts so they cook uniformly.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – Choose similar-sized pieces; pound lightly if needed for even thickness.
- Roma tomatoes – Firm, meaty, and less watery, perfect for slicing.
- Fresh basil – Add at the end for maximum aroma and color.
- Salt, onion powder, granulated garlic – Simple seasonings to enhance the chicken.
- Olive oil – Helps seasonings adhere and adds richness.
- Buffalo mozzarella – Creamy, soft mozzarella is ideal; fresh mozzarella balls or slices work as well.
- Balsamic reduction – A small amount goes a long way as a finishing touch.
How To Make This Recipe
Here’s a straightforward overview of the cooking process. Full step-by-step instructions are provided in the recipe card at the end.
- Preheat the grill – Heat your pellet grill to about 400°F (204°C).
- Season the chicken – Brush breasts with olive oil and season with salt, granulated garlic, and onion powder.
- Sear the chicken – Grill over medium-high heat, searing for roughly 3 minutes per side to develop color.
- Layer with tomato and mozzarella – Place sliced tomatoes and mozzarella on top of each breast, then move to a shallow baking dish.
- Finish cooking – Return the dish to the grill and cook about 10 minutes more, or until an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is reached.
- Rest and garnish – Let the chicken rest briefly, then drizzle with balsamic reduction and scatter chopped basil over the top.
Recipe FAQ
Yes. Heirloom or vine-ripened tomatoes work well when in season. Roma tomatoes are recommended when you want firmer, less juicy slices.
You can grill the chicken earlier and reheat gently, but add tomato, mozzarella, and basil just before serving for the best texture and presentation.
Use a grill pan or broiler to achieve a similar char, or roast the chicken in the oven at 400°F until cooked through—smoky flavor from wood-fired grilling will be absent.
Serve This With
Pair Grilled Chicken Caprese with garlic bread, a crisp green salad, or serve it over pasta for a heartier meal. The bright tomato and basil flavors work well with a light white wine or a refreshing lager. Simple sides let the Caprese elements shine—try a lemony arugula salad or steamed seasonal vegetables.
- Light green salads – arugula or mixed greens dressed with lemon and olive oil.
- Garlic bread – toast or grill until golden for a crunchy contrast.
- Pasta – toss with olive oil and herbs to serve the chicken over a bed of noodles.
More Chicken Recipes
- Honey Balsamic Chicken Legs
- Spicy Grilled Chicken Teriyaki
- Grilled Chicken Wings
- Grilled Chicken Sandwich
- Grilled Chicken Leg Quarters
Grilled Chicken Caprese
Simple, flavorful grilled chicken topped with tomato, mozzarella, and basil—an easy meal that feels special.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 Roma tomatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 fresh buffalo mozzarella, sliced
- 1 tablespoon balsamic reduction, for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat pellet grill to 400°F (204°C).
- Coat chicken breasts with olive oil.
- Season chicken with salt, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Grill chicken over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes per side, turning once to brown both sides.
- Transfer chicken to a shallow baking dish.
- Slice tomatoes and mozzarella into ¼-inch thick slices.
- Layer each chicken breast with tomato slices, then mozzarella.
- Return the dish to the grill and cook for about 10 minutes more, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Remove chicken from the grill and let rest for a few minutes.
- Chop basil leaves and sprinkle over the chicken.
- Drizzle with balsamic reduction and serve immediately.
Nutrition Information (per serving)
Calories: 476 • Total Fat: 17g • Saturated Fat: 4g • Cholesterol: 198mg • Sodium: 798mg • Carbohydrates: 5g • Fiber: 1g • Sugar: 4g • Protein: 72g
Nutrition data is an estimate.