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Meal prepping just got a fresh and flavorful upgrade with this meal prep caprese chicken recipe! Juicy cherry tomatoes, fragrant basil, and creamy mozzarella come together with tender chicken and hearty grains for a meal that’s as satisfying as it is delicious. A drizzle of tangy balsamic vinaigrette ties everything together, but the key to keeping it fresh is waiting to mix in the dressing until you’re ready to eat. This easy, make-ahead dish is perfect for busy days when you want something wholesome and packed with classic Italian flavors. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or just need a quick, nutritious lunch, this caprese chicken bowl is sure to hit the spot!
Make meal prep caprese chicken if you’re looking for a flavorful dish you can whip up in advance. The vibrant Italian flavors in this simple recipe are so fresh and good.
Also try meal prep buffalo chicken bowls, meal prep firecracker beef, sheet pan caprese pizza, and this Italian burrata caprese salad.
Why You’ll Love It
Fresh, vibrant flavors: This meal prep caprese salad is really tasty. Close your eyes and you can picture yourself at a restaurant in Capri!
Simple to prepare: You just need to add your prepared salad ingredients to meal prep containers and whisk up the dressing and add that to small containers. Then simply refrigerate until serving.
A versatile dish: You can enjoy this recipe as an appetizer, for your main course, or as part of a potluck meal or buffet. If you’re heading to work and can keep it chilled, it makes a great lunch too.
Caprese Chicken Meal Prep Bowls Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Chicken: You’ll need cooked chicken to make meal prep caprese salad. A rotisserie chicken would be ideal or you can use leftover cooked chicken. I used boneless skinless chicken breasts. Chicken thighs would also work.
Quinoa and brown rice medley: I used this one but you can use any grains you want to make the salad hearty.
Fresh mozzarella balls: You can use baby mozzarella balls or cut a larger mozzarella cheese into pieces instead.
Fresh basil leaves: These add aromatic flair to the salad.
Cherry tomatoes: To add a juicy, sweet touch.
Extra-virgin olive oil: The basis of the dressing.
Balsamic vinegar: Adds a sweet, tangy flavor to the dressing.
Honey: To sweeten the salad dressing further, if needed.
How to Make Caprese Salad Meal Prep
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Prepare the dressing: Whisk the balsamic vinegar with the Dijon mustard, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Whisk in the olive oil. Add honey if you want it sweeter. Divide the dressing between 4 small condiment or salad dressing containers.
Make the salad: Divide the grains, chicken, mozzarella and tomatoes between 4 meal prep containers.
Chill and serve: Keep the salad containers and dressing containers refrigerated for up to 4 days. To serve, drizzle the dressing over the salad.
Substitutions and Variations
Dressing: Skip the balsamic vinaigrette and drizzle with a balsamic glaze or basil pesto, or make a vinaigrette with lemon juice instead of with vinegar.
Add some greens: Add some arugula, baby spinach, or mixed greens for a leafy texture.
Protein swaps: Grilled sliced chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken, shrimp, salmon, or steak would be good.
Vegetarian main dish: Add chickpeas, tofu or white beans for a vegetarian option.
Add some nuts: For added crunch, top with pine nuts, walnuts or slivered almonds.
Serving Suggestions
As an appetizer: Enjoy meal prep chicken caprese with crusty bread, garlic bread or rolls.
As a main dish: Serve the salad as it is or pair it with smoked asparagus, peperonata or steamed vegetables. You could also pair it with Greek lemon chicken soup or minestrone soup.
How to Store Meal Prep Caprese Chicken
Store: Store in airtight meal prep containers for up to 4 days.
Freeze: These salads wouldn’t freeze well.
Top Tips
Keep the basil fresh: Fresh basil will oxidize and turn brown soon after it is cut. If you prefer, you can wait to add fresh chopped basil just before serving, or you can place whole basil leaves in the container, and tear them right before serving.
Use good quality ingredients: Good quality extra-virgin olive oil is a must, and it’s also a good idea to use the best quality tomatoes and mozzarella you can find.
Add the dressing last: Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette over the grains just before serving. This will prevent them from getting soggy.
Caprese Chicken Meal Prep FAQs
Take your pick! If serving warm, remove the tomatoes, mozzarella and dressing from the meal prep containers, heat the quinoa and chicken in the microwave for 1 minute, then add the mozzarella, tomatoes, and dressing when ready to serve.
No, you can omit the rice and quinoa if you want a lighter dish.
Meal Prep Caprese Chicken Bowls Recipe
Meal Prep Caprese Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Balsamic Vinaigrette:
- ¼ Cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 Teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ Teaspoon salt
- ½ Teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- ¼ Cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon honey, optional
For the Caprese Chicken Bowls:
- 2 Cups quinoa and brown rice medley, cooked
- 1 Cup chicken, cooked and chopped
- ½ Cup mozzarella balls, fresh, small
- ¾ Cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- basil, freshly chopped
Instructions
- Whisk together the balsamic vinegar, Dijon, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Gradually pour in the olive oil, continuously whisking until smooth.
- Taste the dressing and add honey if you want it sweeter.
- Pour into 4 salad dressing containers and set aside.
- Evenly divide quinoa medley, chicken, mozzarella, and tomatoes into 4 meal prep containers.
- Top with basil and place covered dressing containers with each salad.
- Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Drizzle on the dressing before serving. Enjoy cold or slightly heated in the microwave for a warm grain bowl.
Notes
Use good quality ingredients: Good quality extra-virgin olive oil is a must, and it’s also a good idea to use the best quality tomatoes and mozzarella you can find.
Add the dressing last: Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette over the grains just before serving. This will prevent them from getting soggy.
Nutrition
Treat your taste buds to this delicious meal prep Caprese chicken salad. You can enjoy it warm or chilled and you can make it up to 4 days in advance. Whether you’re looking for new salad ideas or you simply love the flavors of Capri and you want to bring some Italian magic to your table, you won’t be disappointed with these flavorful chicken caprese salad bowls.
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
Loved the fresh basil and balsamic. Tasted better even after a day!