Juicy Grilled Chicken Margherita Recipe: A Fresh Summer Delight

Margherita grilled chicken brings together classic Italian flavors with a summery outdoor cooking twist that crafts simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Mediterranean culinary traditions inspire this delightful dish, combining fresh herbs and bright ingredients in a memorable meal.

Crisp, tender chicken becomes a canvas for vibrant seasonings that dance across your palate with remarkable complexity.

Robust marinades infuse each tender morsel with layers of tangy and aromatic character that elevate basic protein.

Light and refreshing, this recipe offers a perfect balance between lean protein and zesty complementary elements.

Fresh ingredients play a crucial role in creating a dining experience that feels both elegant and effortless.

You’ll appreciate how quickly this meal comes together without sacrificing incredible depth of flavor or visual appeal.

Why Grilled Chicken Margherita Feels Like Summer

• Savor Fresh Margherita Flavors: This grilled chicken recipe captures the classic Italian Margherita pizza taste with its vibrant combination of mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, and aromatic basil, transforming a simple chicken dish into a gourmet experience.
• Master Quick and Easy Grilling: Perfect for busy home cooks, this recipe requires minimal prep time and cooking skills, delivering restaurant-quality results in just 15 minutes with simple grilling techniques that guarantee juicy, flavorful chicken.
• Enjoy Healthier Comfort Food: By using lean chicken breast, fresh herbs, and minimal oil, this dish offers a lighter alternative to traditional heavy meals while maintaining incredible taste and nutritional balance that satisfies without guilt.
• Celebrate Versatile Meal Options: Ideal for weeknight dinners, summer cookouts, or casual entertaining, this Margherita chicken can be served with various sides like salad, pasta, or grilled vegetables, making it a flexible recipe for different occasions.

Ingredients for Fresh Chicken Margherita

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that absorbs marinade flavors and serves as the main dish base. Choose fresh, boneless, skinless breasts for best grilling results.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Provides creamy, melty topping that adds richness to the grilled chicken. Fresh mozzarella offers the best flavor and melting properties.
• Pesto: Classic Italian sauce that brings herbal and nutty flavors to the dish. Store-bought or homemade pesto works well.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the chicken's natural flavor. Use freshly ground black pepper for maximum taste.
• Olive Oil: Helps marinade stick to chicken and prevents sticking during grilling. Extra virgin olive oil provides better flavor.
• Garlic Powder: Adds depth and aromatic flavor to the chicken marinade. Choose pure garlic powder without additives.
• Italian Seasoning: Blend of dried herbs that brings Mediterranean flavor profile. Provides complexity to the chicken's taste.

• Cherry Tomatoes: Adds bright, fresh flavor and color to the dish. Ripe, in-season tomatoes offer the best taste.
• Fresh Basil: Provides aromatic, herbal garnish that complements the Italian-style dish. Choose bright green, fragrant leaves.
• Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and helps balance the rich flavors. Fresh lemon juice works best.

Grilling Directions for Margherita Chicken

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Marinade

• Chicken
• Salt
• Pepper
• Olive oil
• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning

Thoroughly coat the chicken by tossing ingredients together.

Step 2: Fire Up the Grill

Preheat grill to medium-high heat.

Grill chicken for 6-8 minutes on each side until fully cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Step 3: Add Melty Mozzarella

Place a slice of mozzarella cheese on top of each chicken breast.

Grill for an additional 1 minute until cheese becomes perfectly melted and gooey.

Step 4: Create Fresh Tomato Topping

• Tomatoes
• Lemon juice
• Sliced fresh basil

Gently mix ingredients to blend flavors.

Step 5: Finish and Plate

Spread of pesto over each chicken breast.

Top with prepared tomato mixture.

Sprinkle freshly cracked black pepper for extra zest.

Step 6: Serve Immediately

Transfer grilled chicken to serving plates.

Enjoy while hot and fresh off the grill!

Tips for Flavorful Grilled Chicken Dinners

• Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Let chicken soak in the seasoning mixture for at least 30 minutes before grilling to enhance taste and tenderness.
• Check Internal Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F for safe and perfectly cooked meat.
• Prevent Sticking: Clean and oil grill grates before cooking to help chicken release easily and create beautiful grill marks.
• Rest the Meat: Allow grilled chicken to rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking to help juices redistribute, keeping the meat moist and flavorful.
• Fresh Ingredients Matter: Use ripe, in-season tomatoes and fresh basil for the brightest, most vibrant topping that complements the grilled chicken.

Storing and Reheating Grilled Chicken Margherita

• Refrigeration: Store leftover Grilled Chicken Margherita in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the chicken will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Reheating: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, covering with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Alternatively, reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Freezing: Wrap chicken tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen Chicken Margherita can be stored for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Perfect Matches for Chicken Margherita

• Savor Italian White Wine Pairing: Crisp pinot grigio complements the grilled chicken's light flavors, cutting through the richness of mozzarella and pesto with its bright, zesty profile.
• Enhance with Fresh Caprese Salad: Create a classic side dish matching the margherita theme, featuring fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil drizzled with olive oil to echo the chicken's ingredients.
• Match with Crusty Garlic Bread: Serve warm, garlic-rubbed Italian bread to soak up the delicious pesto and tomato juices, providing a delightful textural contrast to the grilled chicken.
• Refresh with Sparkling Lemon Water: A cold, citrusy drink with lemon slices will cleanse the palate between bites and mirror the recipe's fresh lemon juice, creating a harmonious dining experience.

Margherita Chicken Versions to Mix Up

• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Replace Italian seasoning with za'atar spice blend for a Middle Eastern flavor profile, adding a vibrant aromatic touch to the grilled chicken.
• Spicy Jalapeño Kick: Incorporate finely chopped jalapeños into the tomato mixture and mix sriracha into the pesto for a zesty, heat-packed version of the original recipe.
• Lemon Garlic Infusion: Increase lemon juice quantity and add fresh minced garlic directly to the chicken marinade, creating a brighter, more intense citrus and garlic experience.
• Balsamic Glazed Option: Drizzle aged balsamic reduction over the finished chicken before serving, adding a rich, sweet-tangy complexity to the Margherita-style preparation.

Grilled Chicken Margherita Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 26 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Homemade Grilled Chicken Margherita brings Italian culinary magic straight to your dinner table. Juicy chicken breasts adorned with fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fragrant basil create a simple yet irresistible Mediterranean-inspired meal you can savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to less than 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) thickness

Cheese:

• 4 slices mozzarella cheese

Seasoning and Herbs:

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or mix ½ teaspoon dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon dried basil, ¼ teaspoon dried thyme)
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) basil pesto
• ½ cup (75 grams) cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) fresh lemon juice
• ½ cup packed basil leaves, very thinly sliced
• Cracked black pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare a spacious mixing vessel and thoroughly blend chicken with salt, freshly ground black pepper, extra virgin olive oil, garlic powder, and aromatic Italian seasoning, ensuring each piece receives an even, flavorful coating.
2. Preheat grill to medium-high temperature, creating ideal cooking conditions for chicken breasts, and carefully position marinated meat onto heated grates.
3. Grill chicken for approximately 6-8 minutes on each side, monitoring internal temperature to guarantee complete cooking without drying out the meat.
4. Place a single slice of creamy mozzarella cheese atop each chicken breast during the final minute of grilling, allowing cheese to melt smoothly and create a rich, golden surface.
5. While chicken finishes cooking, create a vibrant tomato garnish by gently combining fresh cherry tomatoes with zesty lemon juice and delicately sliced fresh basil leaves.
6. Generously spread approximately of aromatic pesto across the surface of each grilled chicken breast, creating a flavor-rich base.
7. Artfully distribute the prepared tomato and basil mixture over the pesto-covered chicken, finishing with a light sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper for an added layer of complexity.
8. Serve the Grilled Chicken Margherita immediately, ensuring optimal temperature and flavor intensity.

Notes

• Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes to enhance flavor and tenderness, allowing seasonings to penetrate deeply.
• Ensure grill is preheated to medium-high heat for perfect sear marks and juicy chicken without drying out.
• Use fresh mozzarella for a creamy, melty topping that complements the herb-infused chicken beautifully.
• Opt for ripe, garden-fresh tomatoes to add bright, tangy notes that balance the rich pesto and cheese.
• Let chicken rest for 3-5 minutes after grilling to lock in juices and maintain maximum moisture.
• Garnish with extra fresh basil leaves for a pop of color and aromatic finishing touch.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 16 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 380 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 3 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 105 mg