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!
Recipe video
Watch the video below to see exactly how I prepped these caprese chicken salad meal prep bowls. It’s so easy! You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel, or on Facebook.
Don’t forget to pin this recipe to save it for later!
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.
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- 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.
- 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
.
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!).
Recipe tips
- 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, this Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken, or this collection with 38+ Easy Lunch Meal Prep Ideas
Caprese Chicken Salad Meal Prep Bowls
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
- Cook quinoa according to package directions. Allow to cool.
- Heat oven to 425°F. Toss the chicken with 1 tablespoon olive oil & balsamic vinegar. Season with salt & pepper.
- Bake chicken breasts for 22-28 minutes, until cooked through. Allow to rest 5-10 minutes before cutting into cubes
- Shake together vinaigrette ingredients.
- 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 *)
Karen
What a great blend of tastes and texture – YUM!
Denise
So happy you enjoyed them!
Rene
This salad was great! I’ll be using the dressing on a lot more. Thank you!!
Denise
I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed it, Rene!
Jennifer
DO I eat this right out of the fridge at work or do I warm it up?
Denise
Hi Jennifer! I eat it cold since it’s a salad…I suppose you could warm it up if you’d like?
Solly
Thanks gorgeous girl x
Natasha Micallef Decesare
Hey! This looks great <3 Could you add the nutritional values of this meal please? Would be great to work out the weekly meals! Thanks XX
Denise
Yes! Sorry I somehow missed this post. Adding it in right now 🙂
sera
Stop reading my mind, Denise! This looks so good! Now I have to make this AND marinate all the freezer chicken for my instant pot. And now I won’t feel like I’m wasting all that basil that is wilting on my window sill. My plants do not think that winter is over.
Denise
Ha ha!! Hope this is a good use for your basil 😀
Adam
This salad was so delicious, I loved the balsamic dressing on the quinoa!
Denise
Thanks so much, Adam! So happy you enjoyed it 😀
Mrs.B
any alternative for Chicken and cheese, vegan here
Denise
Hmmm you could try tofu and vegan cheese, but I’m not sure it would be the same. I have a pretty extensive vegan meal prep round-up if you’re interested! Lots of ideas here: https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/vegan-meal-prep-recipes/