Description
Balsamic chicken berry mason jar salad brings together juicy berries, tender chicken, and tangy balsamic vinaigrette in one convenient container that you can grab and shake when hunger hits. Layering your ingredients in a jar keeps everything fresh and crisp until you’re ready to eat, making this a straightforward lunch you can prepare ahead of time.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 chicken breasts
Dressing and Flavor:
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Produce:
- 1 cup mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
Instructions
- Set your grill or skillet to medium heat for about 2 minutes so it reaches the right temperature.
- Combine 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Place your 2 chicken breasts in the marinade and let them sit for at least 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Transfer the marinated chicken to your preheated grill or skillet and cook for 6 minutes on the first side without moving them around.
- Flip each chicken breast and cook for another 6-8 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove the chicken from heat and let it rest for 3-5 minutes before slicing it into strips.
- Toss your 1 cup of mixed berries with 1 tablespoon honey in a separate bowl until coated.
- Layer half of your sliced chicken on the bottom of a mason jar.
- Add half of your berry mixture directly on top of the chicken layer.
- Repeat with the remaining chicken and berries, filling the jar to just below the rim.
- Seal your mason jar tightly and place it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
- Let your chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, but overnight in the fridge gives the balsamic flavor time to really sink in and makes the meat more tender.
- Cook your chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure it’s safe to eat, and those few minutes of resting after cooking keep the juices from running out when you slice it.
- Fresh berries work best here, but frozen berries thawed and drained work fine too if that’s what you have on hand.
- For a heartier meal, add grains like quinoa or feta cheese to your jar layers, and if you’re avoiding dairy, skip the cheese and the dish remains naturally dairy-free.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-16 minutes
- Category: More Chicken Recipes
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 245 kcal
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg