Zesty Grilled Chicken Margherita Recipe – Summer’s Best Bite

When summer’s heat calls for a light yet satisfying meal, this grilled chicken margherita recipe delivers pure culinary bliss.

Fresh basil leaves and melted mozzarella dance atop perfectly charred chicken breasts.

The classic Italian-inspired combination guarantees a burst of vibrant flavors with every bite.

Marinades infused with garlic and herbs elevate the chicken tender texture.

Quick to assemble and even faster to devour, this dish brings restaurant-quality excitement straight to your backyard grill.

Each serving promises a delightful balance of smoky, fresh, and creamy elements that make dinner feel like a special occasion.

You’ll want to add this recipe to your summer cooking lineup immediately.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 16 minutes

Total Time: 26 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 5

Grilled Chicken Margherita Ingredients Checklist

• Chicken Breast: Lean, versatile protein that absorbs flavors beautifully, choose fresh, plump cuts with minimal fat for best grilling results.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Olive Oil, Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning: Classic blend that infuses chicken with rich, aromatic Mediterranean flavors, ensuring tender and well-seasoned meat.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy, mild cheese that melts perfectly and adds luxurious texture to grilled chicken.
• Pesto: Vibrant green sauce packed with basil, garlic, and pine nuts, bringing authentic Italian zest to the dish.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Juicy, sweet miniature tomatoes that provide bright, fresh contrast to the grilled chicken.
• Fresh Basil: Aromatic herb with peppery, slightly sweet notes that elevates the overall flavor profile.
• Lemon Juice: Tangy citrus component that adds brightness and helps balance the richness of the cheese and pesto.

Grill Tools to Prepare Chicken Margherita

• Large Bowl: Perfect for mixing chicken with seasonings and ensuring even coating.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure salt, pepper, and seasonings.
• Grill or Grill Pan: Essential for cooking chicken to golden perfection.
• Tongs: Best for safely flipping chicken and moving pieces on the grill.
• Small Bowl: Used for mixing tomatoes with lemon juice and basil.
• Cutting Board: Needed for slicing basil and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Helps chop basil and slice ingredients precisely.

How to Make Grilled Chicken Margherita at Home

• Flavor Explosion

Combine chicken with a zesty blend of seasonings, ensuring every inch gets coated with aromatic goodness.

• Sizzling Heat

Grill the chicken over a hot surface, creating beautiful char marks and sealing in juicy tenderness.

• Cheese Magic

Add a luscious slice of mozzarella, letting it melt into a creamy blanket over the perfectly cooked chicken.

• Fresh Brightness

Toss ripe tomatoes with bright lemon and fragrant basil, creating a vibrant topping that sings with summer flavors.

• Final Touch

Crown each chicken breast with a generous swirl of herbaceous pesto and the tomato mixture, finishing with a sprinkle of black pepper for an extra flavor kick.

• Serving

Present your masterpiece immediately, allowing everyone to enjoy the dish at its absolute peak of deliciousness.

Add-Ons and Flavor Ideas for Chicken Margherita

• Mix up the cheese by swapping mozzarella with fresh burrata or creamy provolone for an extra luxurious touch.
• Marinate chicken overnight in the refrigerator to intensify flavors and ensure incredibly tender meat that falls apart with each bite.
• Transform this recipe by replacing chicken with grilled portobello mushrooms or thick slices of eggplant for a delicious vegetarian alternative that keeps the classic Margherita spirit.
• Introduce a kick of heat by adding red pepper flakes to the tomato mixture or drizzling a homemade chili-infused olive oil over the finished dish for those who love a little extra zest.
• Pair this grilled chicken with a light arugula salad or roasted Mediterranean vegetables to create a complete meal that balances protein and fresh, vibrant sides.

Serving Suggestions for Chicken Margherita

• Pair with Pasta: Slice the grilled chicken and serve over a bed of al dente linguine or spaghetti for a complete Italian-inspired meal that's bursting with flavor.
• Fresh Side Salad: Create a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to complement the rich, herbaceous chicken and balance the dish's intense flavors.
• Wine Pairing: Enjoy with a chilled glass of crisp pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc to enhance the bright, fresh notes of the tomatoes and basil.
• Crusty Bread Option: Serve alongside warm, toasted ciabatta or focaccia to soak up the delicious pesto and tomato juices from the chicken.

How to Store Grilled Chicken Margherita Smoothly

• Refrigerate Smartly: Store leftover grilled chicken in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Eat within 3-4 days for optimal taste and food safety.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap individual chicken breasts tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Frozen Margherita chicken stays delicious for up to 3 months when sealed properly.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated chicken in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Add a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare chicken breasts in advance and store separately from tomato and pesto toppings. Assemble just before serving to keep ingredients fresh and crisp, preventing soggy textures.

Succulent Grilled Chicken Margherita Recipe

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4.5 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 26 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Margherita grilled chicken offers a delightful Italian-inspired twist on classic pizza flavors. Juicy chicken, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil create a simple yet satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless (pounded to <1 in/2.54 cm thickness)
• ½ cup (120 ml/4 fl oz) basil pesto
• 4 slices mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup (75 g/2.6 oz) cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup basil leaves, packed, very thinly sliced
• 2 tbsps (30 ml/1 fl oz) olive oil
• 1 tbsp (15 ml/0.5 fl oz) fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or mix ½ tsp dried oregano, ¼ tsp dried basil, ¼ tsp dried thyme)
• Cracked black pepper

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Instructions

1. Marination: Combine chicken with salt, black pepper, olive oil, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning in a mixing bowl, ensuring thorough and even coating of all chicken pieces.
2. Grilling Preparation: Heat grill to medium-high temperature, creating optimal conditions for cooking chicken breasts with perfect char and moisture retention.
3. Cooking Process: Grill chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, rotating once to achieve consistent cooking and attractive grill marks, verifying doneness through internal temperature check.
4. Cheese Melting: During final cooking minute, layer mozzarella cheese on chicken breasts, allowing it to melt and create a luxurious golden surface.
5. Tomato Garnish: Simultaneously prepare fresh garnish by mixing cherry tomatoes with lemon juice and finely chopped basil leaves, creating a vibrant accompaniment.
6. Flavor Layering: Spread pesto generously across grilled chicken, establishing a rich aromatic foundation for the dish.
7. Final Presentation: Elegantly top pesto-covered chicken with prepared tomato-basil mixture, finishing with a delicate sprinkle of cracked black pepper to enhance overall flavor profile.
8. Serving: Present Grilled Chicken Margherita immediately to preserve optimal temperature and culinary integrity.

Notes

• Marinate Like a Pro: Allow chicken to absorb marinade for at least 30 minutes before grilling to maximize flavor penetration and tenderness.
• Grill Temperature Matters: Maintain medium-high heat around 375-400°F to achieve perfect grill marks and prevent chicken from drying out.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Add mozzarella in the last minute of grilling to create a perfectly melted, golden-brown cheese topping without overcooking the chicken.
• Fresh Ingredient Magic: Use room-temperature, high-quality ingredients like fresh basil and ripe cherry tomatoes to elevate the overall taste and presentation of the dish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 16 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 4 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg