Chicken Margherita
This Chicken Margherita recipe is full of fresh flavors! Balsamic Grilled Chicken is topped with fresh mozzarella, creamy pesto, and a bright tomato basil salad!
Everyone needs a few impressive recipes that will wow guests without a ton of hassle. This chicken recipe fits the bill perfectly! Marinated chicken is grilled until perfectly tender, then topped with fresh mozzarella, pesto, and a delicious tomato basil salad. This dinner is not only incredibly tasty, but it is also absolutely beautiful! This is the ultimate dinner party recipe, but it is so much easier than it looks!
This can be made on an outdoor grill, or inside using a grill pan. It is also an easy recipe to double or triple for big get-togethers!
Ingredients for Chicken Margherita
As always, this is a quick overview of the ingredients you need for this recipe. For the complete, printable recipe keep scrolling. To make this easy chicken recipe you will need:
- Chicken: I use chicken breast for this recipe, however, boneless skinless chicken thighs will also work.
- Marinade Ingredients: balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. If you already have prepared balsamic vinegar salad dressing you can use that in a pinch verses the homemade marinade.
- Mozzarella: I suggest using fresh mozzarella for the best flavor. However, shredded mozzarella will work in a pinch.
- Pesto: I use this homemade pesto, but store-bought will also work.
- Tomatoes and Basil: fresh tomatoes and basil in any variety will work for this recipe.
How to Make Chicken Margherita
Aside from the ingredients listed above you will need a grill or grill pan for this recipe. To make this pesto chicken follow the step-by-step guide below.
Slice the Chicken
This recipe calls for two large chicken breasts. Place the chicken on the cutting board and carefully cut through it as if you are butterflying the chicken but slice it all the way through so you have two thinner, more uniform chicken breasts. This will give you four thin chicken breasts.
Marinate Chicken
Make the marinade by combining the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, minced garlic and spices. Place the chicken in a plastic bag or container and pour the marinade over the chicken. Be mindful that the marinade covers the chicken well. Allow it to marinate for at least one hour or up to 24 hours.
Grill the Chicken
Heat a grill or grill pan to medium heat, approximately 375 degrees. Add the chicken and grill for 3-4 minutes on each side. Check the meat using a meat thermometer and when the chicken registers 165 degrees F remove it from the grill and set aside.
Add Pesto and Cheese
If making the entire dish on an outdoor grill place the grilled chicken in a grill-safe pan and top it with the fresh mozzarella and pesto. Add the dish to the grill and close the lid. Allow the chicken to cook 5-6 minutes until the cheese has melted.
Alternatively, if you wish to use an oven place the chicken in an oven-safe casserole dish and top with cheese and pesto bake the chicken 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees F until the cheese is melted.
Top with Tomatoes and Basil
Lastly combine the chopped tomatoes and basil with a drizzle of good olive oil, salt, and pepper! Add the tomato salad right on top of the chicken and enjoy!
Serve
My go-to side dishes are this broccoli or this simple salad. This dish would really be great with any side such as grilled veggies, pasta, or potatoes.
Storing and Reheating
This dish is good up to 5 days if stored in an air-tight container in the fridge. I do recommend storing the tomatoes and basil separately from the chicken for the best texture and flavor.
To reheat cover the chicken with foil and reheat at 325 degrees for 15-20 minutes until just heated through. Be sure not to warm the chicken too long or it will be very dry.
Recipe FAQ
Yes, if you have a bottled or homemade balsamic vinaigrette already on hand you can use that instead of making the marinade from scratch.
You can use a charcoal, gas, or electric grill, as well as a grill pan for this recipe. If none of those options are available to you simply pan-fry the chicken in your favorite skillet.
The pesto is loaded with flavor and really packs a punch! I highly recommend using it! However, if you aren’t a fan you can skip the pesto and instead drizzle the finished dish with a little balsamic glaze.
Other Grilled Chicken Recipes
- Grilled Chicken with Pesto Cream Sauce: a perfect dish on its own or with pasta, zucchini noodles, or grilled vegetables!
- Greek Chicken Skewers: marinaded chicken and vegetables for a perfectly healthy meal!
- Caesar Chicken: an easy chicken recipe perfect for salads and wraps!
- Grilled Chicken Legs: an Asian marinade makes these chicken legs super flavorful!
- Blackened Chicken: using a homemade rub makes this easy recipe hard to resist!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Margherita
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breast
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons good olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 4 ounces fresh mozzarella
- 1/3 cup pesto
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes sliced
- 1/4 cup basil
- 1 tablespoon good olive oil
Equipment
Instructions
- Place the chicken on the cutting board and carefully cut through it as if you are butterflying the chicken but slice it all the way through so you have two thinner, more uniform chicken breasts. This will give you four thin chicken breasts.
- Combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Pour the marinade over the chicken and chill for at least 1 hour, but up to 24 hours.
- Heat a grill or grill pan to medium heat, approximately 375 degrees. Add the chicken and grill for 3-4 minutes on each side. Check the meat using a meat thermometer and when the chicken registers 165 degrees F remove it from the grill and set aside.
- If making the entire dish on an outdoor grill place the grilled chicken in a grill-safe pan and top it with fresh mozzarella and pesto. Add the dish to the grill and close the lid. Allow the chicken to cook 5-6 minutes until the cheese has melted.
- Combine the chopped tomatoes and basil with a drizzle of good olive oil, salt, and pepper! Add the tomato salad right on top of the chicken and enjoy!
Oven Instructions:
- If you wish to use an oven instead of the grill in steps 3 and 4, place the chicken in an oven-safe casserole dish and top with cheese and pesto bake the chicken 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees F until the cheese is melted.
