Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ½ tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- ⅛ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon coarse salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
Salad
- 8 oz small mozzarella balls, halved
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 bunch of fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
- 1 avocado, thinly sliced
- 6 cups spring green mix
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- ½ cup olive oil
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Dash of salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a small baking dish or oven-safe skillet to prevent sticking.
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl or Ziploc bag, combine the chicken breast with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, basil, thyme, coarse salt, and ground pepper. Coat the chicken evenly and refrigerate for 40 minutes to 1 hour to let the flavors infuse.
- Bake the Chicken: Place the marinated chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink inside, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Broil for Color: Switch your oven to broil and cook the chicken for an additional 2-3 minutes to achieve a nice browned, slightly charred finish. Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest in a warm place for 5 minutes to retain juices.
- Prepare the Dressing: While the chicken rests, whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well emulsified.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, toss the spring greens, fresh chopped basil, cherry tomatoes, and halved mozzarella balls with the balsamic vinaigrette to coat evenly.
- Serve: Slice the rested chicken as desired and top the salad with the chicken slices, thin avocado slices, any additional fresh basil, and a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately, either warm or chilled according to preference.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken longer will deepen the flavor, but 40 minutes is sufficient for a tasty result.
- Use fresh mozzarella balls for authentic texture and creaminess in the salad.
- For a dairy-free option, omit the mozzarella and add extra avocado or nuts for creaminess.
- This salad can be made ahead by preparing chicken and dressing separately; assemble just before serving to keep greens fresh.
- Adjust salt and pepper in the dressing to suit your taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Salad
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Italian
