Caprese Avocado Salad
A light, refreshing salad loaded with fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, basil and avocado with a sweet balsamic reduction – perfect as an appetizer or entree!
We officially leave for Cabo tomorrow, and this salad here was my last attempt to “get fit” before the vacation. Except I doused it with balsamic reduction, so I guess it really wasn’t the smartest thing I could do before we head off to a beach getaway. But hey, I could always work out at the resort, right?
No, but, really, this salad has quickly become a favorite of mine, loaded with crisp romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, ovoline mozzarella, basil and fresh avocado tossed in a homemade balsamic reduction. You can alternatively use a balsamic vinaigrette as well – either way, balsamic vinegar pairs very well with this salad. Just don’t double up on those mozzarella balls like I did – they’re completely addictive once they’re tossed in the dressing!
Caprese Avocado Salad
Ingredients
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 boneless, skinless thin-sliced chicken breasts
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 6 ounces ovaline fresh mozzarella
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and diced
- ¼ cup basil leaves, chiffonade
Instructions
- To make the balsamic reduction, add balsamic vinegar and brown sugar to a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a slight boil and reduce by half, about 6-8 minutes; set aside and let cool.
- Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium high heat.
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, to taste. Add to skillet and cook, flipping once, until cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Let cool before dicing into bite-size pieces.
- To assemble the salad, place romaine lettuce in a large bowl; top with chicken, mozzarella, tomatoes, avocado and basil. Pour balsamic reduction on top of the salad and gently toss to combine.
- Serve immediately.
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My daughter is home from college for a break, very tired of the dining-hall food, and was craving a salad. We made this, and she said it’s exactly the type of meal she’s been wanting. So fresh and delicious! Definitely going into the rotation in our home! Thanks for this keeper!
Love this recipe. So delish. could eat it every night
This recipe was great! It’s so good & definitely is going to be a new staple in our household. (We served it with chicken) Thank you!
This is so refreshing and filling. We eat it once a week summer or winter!
I can’t find Anywhere the amount of CARBS in the servings, If it even mentions how many servings each recipe is!?!
Hi Sheri! Nutritional information is provided only for select recipes at this time. However, if it is not available for a specific recipe, we recommend using free online resources at your discretion (you can Google “nutritional calculator”) to obtain such information. Hope that helps!
This salad is made with all of my favorite things. My mouth is watering just reading it. Thanks for sharing, I’ll be making this for a family birthday luncheon
Oh my good. It look so yummy.
I spend two hour in here every week.
now i have a chef in my family.. Thank Chungah
I just wanted to thank you for your website. I make this salad at least once a week! It’s the bomb. I think I will pre-order your new cookbook. I usually make at least one of your recipes two times a month.
I made this for a book club yesterday. It was really good…got compliments and the balsamic reduction was awesome.
What is the calorie content?
Nutritional information is provided only for select and new recipes at this time. However, if it is not available for a specific recipe, it is best that you use free online resources at your discretion (you can Google “nutritional calculator”) to obtain such information.
This is definitely my kind of salad! It looks not only simple but incredible!
Tomatoes + mozzerella + basil = Insalata Caprese.
Tomatoes + mozzerella + avocado + basil = Insalata Napoli.
So your recipe should be called Napoli Salad:)
I made this with dinner tonight and added toasted slivered almonds. My husband said it was the best salad he has ever eaten. It hit every mark. Thank you for sharing your recipe. I will be making this again and again!
I made this last night (I left out the chicken)and I’m still dreaming about it! So simple but so yummy! I love your recipes, they always turn out delicious!
I made this salad last night. 5 stars!!
If I double the balsamic reduction, do I need to double the cooking time also? I’m not sure the reduction was reduced enough. I poured it into a bowl, and it’s still pretty thin compared the residue left behind in the pot.
Yes, it will certainly take longer for it to reduce to a thicker consistency.
Delish salad 🙂
Paired it up with your Chicken w/Sun dried Tomatoes recipe, so I left out the chicken in this. Was an excellent side.
My mouth started to water a little. 🙂 I absolutely love this salad, can’t wait to get home from work and try it out.
Absolutely wonderful. Loved the idea of using a reduction for a dressing. So tasty and quick. I broiled a chicken breast for about 12 minutes for my love and left it vegetarian for me. Will definitely make again.
Made this for dinner tonight and my kids were asking for seconds! Very refreshing and very delicious! We will def. be making this again!!
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This is definitely my kind of salad! It looks not only simple but incredible!
I’ll be swapping that chicken for chickpeas and then munching and crunching my way through this for lunch or dinner next week! Have a great time on your vacation.
I’ve been making a salad very similar to this for years and it’s become such a favorite at picnics and barbecues that I think most of us forget that the Caprese salad doesn’t typically include avocado. Try it…and you’ll forget too! LOVE this.
I am definitely on a salad kick right now. I need to make this next!
I eat SALAD by the huge bowlfuls all year round. This one is lovely to look at., as well as being right up my alley for a food choice.!
This salad looks perfect, I mean, what’s not to love? Fresh veggies, tender chicken and a delicious balsamic? I can’t wait to make this for dinner!! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
This salad screams SUMMER!! Perfect and hope you enjoy your vacation girl!
I’m going to be making this all summer long – it has all my favorite flavors going on! Hope you have an amazing time in Cabo!!!
That balsamic reduction is a must, love this salad!
I love nothing more than fresh mozzarella! Adding avocado to a caprese is perfect!
Have an amazing time! So jealous! Also, dousing just about anything in balsamic reduction is generally an excellent idea 🙂
Yay for vacay!!!!! I just got back from a giant vacation, and I’m in a serious depression! Enjoy it girl!! This salad looks like the perfect before-vacay or post-vacay detox. Healthy, yet delicious!
Caprese anything is absolutely my fav, and I ADORE big salads and avocado! So this salad? I want to face plant into it right now! Your photos are gorg! Pinned 🙂
Very exciting..good summer lunch or dinner!
I’ve never tried a balsamic reduction, looks delicious!
Have fun in Cabo!
What are the odds that we both do slushies and both do mozz/basil/tomato salads, each a day apart. Girl. We are in each other’s heads 🙂 Your salad is stunning. The colors just pop! And that balsamic reduction, I could drink that stuff! I seriously eat tomatoes with balsamic reduction at least 5x a week!