Sunkissed Basil Chicken Tomato Salad

Quick Hook

Basil Chicken and Tomato Salad is my go-to summer meal. Ever opened the fridge and wanted something bright? Oh my gosh, this salad hits that sweet spot.

It tastes herbaceous, tangy, and lightly sweet from a balsamic vinaigrette.

I first made a version after buying too many tomatoes. The first try was messy. I learned to let room-temperature tomatoes sing.

Brief Overview

This recipe borrows from Caprese roots and Italian summer plates. Think Caprese chicken salad meets Mediterranean basil chicken salad. It’s easy to make and quick to pull together.

Prep takes about 15 minutes. Marinating is optional and adds time. Cook time is about 10 15 minutes . Total time ranges from 30 60 minutes .

Yields four main course servings. It’s great for a light dinner or picnic lunch.

Main Benefits

Top health perk: high protein, lots of fresh veggies. This is an Easy Chicken Salad that keeps you full. Calories and macros are easy to tweak.

Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining. Serve with crusty bread or over quinoa for a grain bowl. It also makes a lovely Lemon Basil Rotisserie Chicken Salad riff if you use rotisserie chicken.

What makes it special is texture contrast. Juicy tomatoes, tender chicken, and soft fresh mozzarella. Try a Chicken Avocado Tomato twist by adding sliced avocado.

I sometimes switch to an Avocado Chicken Salad version when avocados are perfectly ripe.

I’ll be honest. Keeping the mozzarella from watering down the salad is a challenge. Pat it dry. Let the chicken rest five to eight minutes after cooking.

Use an instant-read thermometer to check doneness at 165° F .

This is a flexible, crowd-pleasing plate. Love the grilled vibe? Make a Grilled chicken tomato basil salad. Want tang? Swap in a Balsamic vinaigrette chicken salad dressing.

Prefer dairy-free? Skip the fresh mozzarella tomato basil salad element.

Here’s a quick thought: tomatoes are about 95 percent water. Let them sit at room temperature for peak flavor. Ready for the ingredient list and step-by-step? Now, onto the ingredients.

Ingredients & Equipment

Fun fact: room-temperature tomatoes taste sweeter. I learned that the hard way. Basil Chicken and Tomato Salad sings when ingredients are right.

It’s like a Caprese chicken salad with personality. Honestly, I first made it as a Lemon Basil Rotisserie Chicken Salad.

It saved dinner and my ego.

Main Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) extra-virgin olive oil.
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt.
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
• 1 small garlic clove, minced (optional).
  Quality note: choose firm, pale-pink chicken. Avoid a slimy smell.

For the Dressing

• 3 tbsp (45 ml) extra-virgin olive oil.
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) balsamic vinegar.
• 1 tsp (5 ml) Dijon mustard.
• 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) honey (optional).
  Quality note: use good olive oil. Cheap oil dulls flavor.

For the Salad

• 12 oz (340 g) cherry tomatoes, halved.
• 1 cup (25 30 g) fresh basil leaves.
• 8 oz (225 g) fresh mozzarella, torn (optional).
• 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced.
• 2 cups (60 g) mixed greens (optional).
  Quality note: buy ripe, fragrant tomatoes and fragrant basil. Pat mozzarella dry.

Seasoning Notes

Essential spice combos: salt, pepper, garlic, and lemon zest. They are simple and effective. For herb depth, add a pinch of dried oregano.

For a Mediterranean basil chicken salad twist, stir in a teaspoon of dried oregano.

Flavor enhancers: dijon mustard, honey, and a splash of balsamic. They lift the dressing. Fresh lemon brightens like in a Lemon Basil Rotisserie Chicken Salad.

Quick substitutions: no fresh basil? Use 1 2 tsp basil pesto. No time to cook chicken? Use rotisserie. That makes an easy Chicken Salad or Avocado Chicken Salad instantly.

Want creaminess? Add sliced avocado for a Chicken Avocado Tomato vibe.

Equipment Needed

• Grill pan or heavy skillet.
• Instant-read thermometer. Key temp: 165° F ( 74° C) .
• Mixing bowls and a whisk or jar with lid.
• Tongs, sharp knife, cutting board.
  Common swaps: use the oven broiler if no grill. Use a fork and jar if no whisk.

I overcooked chicken once. Lesson learned: rest meat 5 8 minutes . Slice against the grain. Serve warm. This recipe also works as an Easy Chicken Salad or Grilled chicken tomato basil salad.

Try it. You’ll thank me.

Cooking Method

"Fresh basil makes everything sing." This is my take on Basil Chicken and Tomato Salad. I learned it on a sticky summer night.
Grilled chicken, sweet tomatoes, basil pure joy.

Prep Steps

Get your mise en place ready. Pat chicken dry and measure dressing ingredients.
Toss tomatoes, tear basil, drain mozzarella.

Save time by pre-slicing onions earlier.
Marinate briefly for flavor. Use 20 30 minutes if you can.

For quick meals, skip marinating. 5 minutes still works.
Safety first. Cook chicken to 165° F ( 74° C) internally.

Use an instant-read thermometer. Avoid cross-contamination. Wash hands.

step-by-step Process

1. Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic, and lemon zest.
2. Heat skillet or grill until smoking lightly.
3. Sear chicken 4– 6 minutes per side . Look for golden crust.
4. Check doneness with a thermometer. Hit 165° F ( 74° C) .
5. Rest chicken 5– 8 minutes on a board. Juices redistribute.
6. Toss tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, and onion with dressing.
7. Slice chicken against the grain. Arrange on salad. Visual cue: browned edges and clear juices mean done.
   Tomatoes should glisten, not collapse.

Pro Tips

Use room-temperature tomatoes for peak sweetness. Pat mozzarella dry to stop watery salad.
Shortcut: use leftover Lemon Basil Rotisserie Chicken Salad meat.

Another hack: warm chicken right before assembly. It helps flavors meld.
Common mistake: slicing too soon. Rest the meat.

Also, overdressing makes soggy leaves. Toss lightly.

Make-ahead option: dress tomatoes up to 2 hours ahead. Keep chicken separate until serving.
I once served this as a picnic star.

Friends loved the Caprese chicken salad vibe. Try it with avocado for a Chicken Avocado Tomato twist.
This dish hits notes of Grilled chicken tomato basil salad bliss.

It also reads like an easy, bright Mediterranean basil chicken salad .

Serve warm chicken over greens. Drizzle reserved dressing and balsamic glaze.
Enjoy your fresh mozzarella tomato basil salad moment.

Recipe Notes

Oh my gosh, this Basil Chicken and Tomato Salad is my go-to. Fun fact: tomatoes are roughly 95% water. Let them sit at room temp. They taste sweeter that way.

Serving Suggestions

Keep it simple and pretty. Serve on a platter. Scatter torn basil leaves on top.

Try pairing with crusty ciabatta. Or lemon-garlic roasted baby potatoes. For drinks, a crisp Sauvignon Blanc is lovely. For non-alcoholic, sparkling water with lemon works great.

This works as a Lemon Basil Rotisserie Chicken Salad alternative. Swap grilled chicken for rotisserie. You get instant flavor and speed.

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container. Refrigerate within two hours of serving. Eat within 1 2 days for best texture.

Do not freeze the whole salad. Tomatoes turn mushy when frozen. You can freeze cooked chicken separately. Freeze cooked chicken for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

Reheat chicken gently. Warm in a skillet over low heat. Or use an oven at 325° F briefly. Make sure the internal temperature hits 165° F ( 74° C) for safety.

Let chicken rest 5 8 minutes after reheating.

Variations

For dairy-free, skip the mozzarella. Add grilled avocado for creaminess. Try an Avocado Chicken Salad twist.

For a heartier bowl, add quinoa or farro. Use roasted tomatoes in colder months. Or swap basil for mint in summer.

Try Caprese chicken salad vibes with fresh mozzarella. Or make a Balsamic vinaigrette chicken salad by boosting the vinegar.

Nutrition Basics

One serving is about 430 kcal . Protein is high. Expect roughly 36 g protein per serving. Fat comes from olive oil and cheese. Carbs stay low.

This salad provides vitamin C from tomatoes. Basil adds antioxidants. Chicken gives lean protein. It’s a good choice for balanced meals.

I once ruined a batch by using cold tomatoes. Lesson learned. Let them warm up. Honestly, that tiny move changes everything.

Try this Grilled chicken tomato basil salad tonight. It’s easy, bright, and satisfying. You got this.