Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Prep
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If needed, pound thicker ends to create even thickness so they cook uniformly. Brush both sides with 1 tablespoon olive oil, then season evenly with garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Slice the mozzarella into 8 rounds about 1/4-inch thick. Halve the cherry tomatoes and tear any large basil leaves. Set aside at room temperature so the cheese melts better.
Cook
- Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, about 400 degrees F. Grill chicken for 5-6 minutes per side with the lid closed, until grill marks appear and the internal temperature reaches 155 degrees F. The chicken will still look slightly pink in the center - this is intentional.
- Transfer chicken to a cooler side of the grill or reduce heat to medium. Top each breast with 2 slices of mozzarella, close the lid, and cook for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and beginning to ooze. The chicken should now read 165 degrees F in the thickest part.
- Transfer chicken to a serving platter. Immediately scatter the halved tomatoes and torn basil over the top. Drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and the balsamic glaze. Finish with a pinch of flaky sea salt and serve right away while the cheese is still warm and stretchy.
Notes
For the best flavor, use fresh mozzarella packed in water rather than the low-moisture blocks - it melts beautifully and tastes like summer. If you do not have a grill, a cast-iron grill pan on the stovetop works great; just finish the cheese under the broiler for 1-2 minutes. Make ahead by grilling the chicken through step 4, then refrigerate and reheat gently with the cheese when ready to serve.
