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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Preheat grill to medium-high temperature, creating ideal cooking conditions for chicken breasts, and carefully position marinated meat onto heated grates.
- Grill chicken for approximately 6-8 minutes on each side, monitoring internal temperature to guarantee complete cooking without drying out the meat.
- 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.
- 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.
- Generously spread approximately of aromatic pesto across the surface of each grilled chicken breast, creating a flavor-rich base.
- 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.
- 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