Caprese Chicken Salad Meal Prep Bowls

Caprese chicken salad meal prep bowls bring a dose of summer to your lunch. With baked chicken, fresh cherry tomatoes, baby bocconcini, quinoa and basil leaves all drizzled in a balsamic vinaigrette.

I am probably jumping the gun on this recipe, given that it is filled with summery ingredients and it’s only March 1.

I just can’t help myself! Sometimes I need a dose of summer in my lunch, even when it happens to be cold, snowy and wintery.

Today’s caprese salad lunch bowls are a delicious remix of everyone’s favorite caprese salad…in meal prep bowl form!

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Can you make caprese salad ahead of time?

Generally speaking, no you can’t. The issue for the most part is the basil…it is prone to browning and wilting. But the tomatoes can also become soggy if they sit in the dressing for too long.

However with a few tricks, I’ve converted caprese salad into a meal prep lunch.

• • Do not dress this salad ahead of time. These pictures are showing it dressed, but to prep ahead, keep the dressing in a condiment container like these ones.
  • Keep the basil separate from anything wet, and if possible add it fresh. You may wish to wrap it in paper towel to keep it fresh, or keep it in a container at work, separate from the rest of the salad. You could also try a basil paste, however I have not tried this and don’t know if it would be the same.

In addition to the delicious caprese trifecta of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and balsamic dressing, I added some quinoa and chicken to give it a little more oomf. No one needs to be hungry within an hour of eating their lunches!

All combined, you get a great balance of healthy proteins, fresh veggies, and quinoa to round everything out with some healthy carbohydrates (and even more protein!).

Tips for perfect Caprese Chicken Salad Meal Prep Bowls

• I used my favorite meal prep containers
• I cook my quinoa in a rice cooker
• remember to keep the basil and dressing separate until just prior to serving
• looking for more delicious meal prep lunch recipes? Check out these Cold Sesame Noodle Meal Prep Bowls, these Honey Chipotle Meatball Meal Prep Bowls, or this collection with 38+ Easy Lunch Meal Prep Ideas

5 from 1 vote

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Caprese Chicken Salad Meal Prep Bowls

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

25 mins

Total Time

40 mins

 

Caprese chicken salad meal prep bowls bring a dose of summer to your lunch. With baked chicken, fresh cherry tomatoes, baby bocconcini, quinoa and basil leaves all drizzled in a balsamic vinaigrette.

Course: Lunch

Cuisine: Meal Prep

Servings: 4

Calories: 464 kcal

Author: Denise

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts 14 oz total
• salt & pepper
• 3 cups cherry tomatoes halved
• 1 bunch basil leaves whole but removed from stem
• 1 cup baby bocconcini

Balsamic Vinaigrette

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon dijon
• salt & pepper

Instructions

1. Cook quinoa according to package directions. Allow to cool.
2. Heat oven to 425°F. Toss the chicken with 1 tablespoon olive oil & balsamic vinegar. Season with salt & pepper.
3. Bake chicken breasts for 22-28 minutes, until cooked through. Allow to rest 5-10 minutes before cutting into cubes
4. Shake together vinaigrette ingredients.
5. Portion out meal prep bowls: 1/2 chicken breast, 1/2 cup cooked quinoa, 1/4 cup bocconcini, 3/4 cup cherry tomatoes, and basil leaves. Drizzle with vinaigrette (see *)

Recipe Notes

* To keep basil 'fresh': Try to keep the basil at the top of the bowl, away from anything wet like the tomatoes, and avoid drizzling the basil with the vinaigrette. Avoid chopping the basil, leaving the leaves whole. You could alternatively use a basil paste like this one or leave the basil out until just prior to serving.

Nutrition Facts

Caprese Chicken Salad Meal Prep Bowls

Amount Per Serving (1 bowl)

Calories 464 Calories from Fat 207

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 23g 35%

Saturated Fat 4g 20%

Cholesterol 72mg 24%

Sodium 154mg 6%

Potassium 814mg 23%

Total Carbohydrates 31g 10%

Dietary Fiber 3g 12%

Sugars 8g

Protein 31g 62%

Vitamin A 11.5%

Vitamin C 32.3%

Calcium 13%

Iron 15.2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.