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Grilled Chicken Margherita topped with melted mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and fresh pesto on a white plate.
Daniel

Grilled Chicken Margherita

Juicy grilled chicken topped with melted fresh mozzarella, sweet tomatoes, and fragrant basil - a summer classic that comes together in under an hour.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 385

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts pounded to even thickness
  • 2 tbsp olive oil divided
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
For the Toppings
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella sliced into 8 rounds
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
  • 0.5 cup fresh basil leaves packed, torn if large
  • 2 tbsp balsamic glaze store-bought or homemade
  • flaky sea salt for finishing

Equipment

  • Grill or Grill Pan
  • Instant-Read Thermometer

Method
 

Prep
  1. 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.
  2. 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
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.