5 from 398 votes
Grilled Chicken Margherita
Grilled Chicken Margherita features boneless, skinless chicken breasts seasoned and grilled with Italian herbs, topped with melted mozzarella. It’s served with a fresh tomato, basil, and lemon juice topping and dollops of basil pesto, combining smoky, creamy, and bright flavors in one dish.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings:
4
servings
Calories:
403 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breast pounded to less than 1 inch thickness, boneless skinless
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (OR ½ teaspoon dried oregano + ¼ teaspoon dried basil + ¼ teaspoon dried thyme)
- 4 lices mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup basil pesto (try my Easy 5 Minute Pesto Recipe - it's the best!!) https://www.lecremedelacrumb.com/easy-5-minute-pesto-15-ways-to-use-it/
- ½ cup cherry tomato halved
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice fresh
- ½ cup basil very thinly sliced, packed leaves
- black pepper cracked
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine chicken, salt and pepper, olive oil, garlic power, and Italian seasoning. Toss to combine.
- Grill chicken over medium-high heat for about 6-8 minutes on each side until cooked through. Top each piece of chicken with a slice of mozzarella cheese and cook another minute or so until melted.
- Toss tomatoes, lemon juice, and basil together. Top each chicken breast with about 3 tablespoons pesto, a scoop of tomatoes, and some freshly cracked black pepper. Serve immediately.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Fresh lemon juice in the tomato topping is preferred for optimal flavor, though bottled lemon or lime juice can be used if needed.
- Closing the grill lid after adding mozzarella helps melt the cheese quickly and preserves chicken moisture.
- Homemade basil pesto enhances the dish, but store-bought pesto works well as a convenient option.
- Italian seasoning blend can be made by mixing dried oregano, basil, and thyme or swapped with Herbs de Provence for variation.
- Chicken breasts should be pounded to under 1 inch thickness for even cooking on the grill.
Nutrition Information
Calories
403kcal
(20%)
Carbohydrates
5g
(2%)
Protein
32g
(64%)
Fat
28g
(43%)
Saturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
97mg
(32%)
Sodium
601mg
(25%)
Potassium
496mg
(11%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
950IU
(19%)
Vitamin C
6mg
(7%)
Calcium
209mg
(21%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 403
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 403kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 5g | 2% |
| Protein | 32g | 64% |
| Fat | 28g | 43% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 97mg | 32% |
| Sodium | 601mg | 25% |
| Potassium | 496mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 950IU | 19% |
| Vitamin C | 6mg | 7% |
| Calcium | 209mg | 21% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.