Description
Savor the flavors of grilled chicken margherita with this easy guide. Perfect for a quick meal or weekend lunch!
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper to taste
For the Toppings:
- 4 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
For the Pesto (Optional, or use store-bought):
- 1 cup fresh basil
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp pine nuts
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken:
- Pound chicken breasts to 1/2 inch thickness for even cooking.
- In a bowl, mix olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Coat the chicken in the marinade and let it rest for at least 30 minutes (or up to 8 hours).
Grill the Chicken:
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Cook the chicken for 6-8 minutes per side until the internal temp reaches 165°F.
- In the last minute of grilling, place a slice of mozzarella cheese on top and close the lid to melt.
Prepare the Tomato Basil Topping:
- In a bowl, mix cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Make the Pesto (If Homemade):
- Blend basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, and salt until smooth.
Assemble & Serve:
- Top the grilled chicken with pesto and tomato mixture.
- Serve with a side of grilled vegetables or a fresh salad.
Notes
Use high-quality mozzarella for a creamy texture.
Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to keep it juicy.
For extra zest, drizzle balsamic glaze over the final dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling (or Baking)
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Chicken Breast with Toppings
- Calories: 306
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: Grilled Chicken Margherita, Chicken Margherita Recipe, Grilled Chicken with Mozzarella, Tomato Basil Chicken, Pesto Chicken, Healthy Chicken Recipe, Italian Chicken Dish, Quick Lunch Recipe, Easy Grilled Chicken, Low-Carb Chicken Recipe.