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grilled chicken margherita with mozzarella, pesto, and tomatoes on top

Grilled Chicken Margherita

Easy Chicken Margherita combines juicy grilled chicken with melty mozzarella cheese, pesto, and fresh tomatoes for a light, flavorful dinner.
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 410kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil (plus additional vegetable oil if grilling)
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (1 - 1 1/2 lbs)
  • 1/2 cup basil pesto
  • 6 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese (sliced)
  • Balsamic reduction or glaze

Instructions

For the grill:

  • Preheat the grill to 400 degrees. Dip a paper towel in a bowl of vegetable oil and use a pair of tongs to oil the grill grates.
  • Place the chicken between two sheets of saran wrap and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound it to an even thickness. I prefer my chicken breasts to be about 3/4 inch thick.
  • Rub the chicken with a Tablespoon of olive oil and then season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  • Place the chicken on the grill and grill for 5 minutes, then flip. Grill for two minutes, then open the grill and top each chicken breast with a Tablespoon of pesto followed by the mozzarella slices and a second scoop of pesto. Cover the grill and continue to grill for another 2-3 few minutes, or until the cheese is melted and chicken registers 165 degrees.
  • Serve with arugula and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

For the stove top:

  • Place the chicken between two sheets of saran wrap and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound it to an even thickness. I prefer my chicken breasts to be about 3/4 inch thick.
  • Season the chicken on both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  • Heat a Tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken to the pan and cook for about 4 minutes or until well browned.
  • Flip the chicken over and cook for another 2 minutes, then add a scoop of pesto, mozzarella slices, and another scoop of pesto. Cover the pan and continue to cook another 2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and chicken registers 165 degrees.
  • Serve with arugula and a drizzle of balsamic reduction.

Notes

  • To make on stovetop: Follow the same directions as above, but saute the chicken in olive oil over medium high heat. After flipping and adding the mozzarella and pesto, cover the pan with a lid until the cheese is melted and chicken is done.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Keyword chicken margherita, chicken margherita recipe, grilled chicken margherita, margherita chicken

Nutrition

Calories: 410kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 108mg | Sodium: 1269mg | Potassium: 461mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 948IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 272mg | Iron: 1mg
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