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If you love tasty Italian meals, done in 30 minutes or less, this grilled chicken margherita is for you! Start with grilled, tender chicken breasts coated in herbs and cover it in melty mozzarella cheese, fresh pesto, and a tomato basil garnish.

four pieces grilled chicken margherita on a serving plate
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Fire up the grill and get ready to make your new favorite chicken breast recipe! This fresh summer dish is anything but boring. Think margherita pizza on top of slightly charred, juicy chicken breasts.

The layers of flavor start with the chicken breast itself. The char from the grill adds so much flavor. We could stop there, but instead, let’s add homemade pesto, fresh mozzarella, and tomato basil topping. You’re going to love this grilled chicken margherita olive garden copycat! 

I spent last summer perfecting the art of grilling chicken breasts.  I’m sharing a few tips to cook it perfectly below. And if you don’t own a grill, or it’s too chilly, you can also pan sear it (see recipes notes).

Why You’ll Love This Grilled Chicken Margherita

  • Great recipe for family dinner during the week.
  • Better than the Olive Garden chicken margherita recipe.
  • The perfect summer dish.
  • Has a ton of flavor with only a handful of ingredients—many of which you probably have at home.
  • The side dish options are endless.
  • Packed with lean protein. 

Need another chicken dish? Try baked pesto chicken or Boursin chicken next time.

grilled chicken margherita topped with balsamic glaze

Ingredients You Need

Here are the main ingredients you need to make this grilled margherita chicken recipe. Skip to the recipe card for exact measurements.

chicken, tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, pesto, and garlic on a countertop
  • Chicken breasts: We’re using boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe.
  • Garlic: Fresh cloves of garlic are best for extra flavor.
  • Italian seasoning: You can make your own at home with equal parts dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, and dried thyme. Or add garlic powder and red pepper flakes.
  • Mozzarella cheese: Use a fresh slice of mozzarella cheese for best results, just like we do in baked pesto chicken.
  • Basil pesto: A really good homemade pesto is ideal, but store bought works.
  • Cherry tomatoes: Grape tomatoes or any fresh tomatoes would work.
  • Balsamic vinegar: Introduces a tangy, sweetness.
  • Basil: Nothing beats fresh basil when it comes to classic Italian flavors like in this burrata pasta.

How to Make Grilled Chicken Margherita

Here are the step-by-step instructions to make this grilled chicken margherita recipe. Jump to the recipe card for printable instructions. 

  1. Season the chicken: Mix together the olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken and turn to coat.
  2. Grill the chicken: Add the chicken to the grill, close the lid, and grill over medium-high heat (400-425°F) for 5-6 minutes. 
  3. Top with cheese: Flip the chicken, wait 2 minutes, then add the mozzarella. Close the lid and cook until the cheese melts and the internal temp reaches 165°F. 
  4. Tomato basil topping: While the chicken cooks, toss tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, and basil in a large bowl. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
  5. Top with pesto: Top each piece of chicken with 2 Tbsp of pesto and spread it out.
  6. Serve and enjoy!  Spoon the tomato basil on top and finish with fresh cracked black pepper. Serve right away!

Quick Tips

  • Brush and oil the grill grates before you turn it on. I saw a trick on TikTok to rub them with a sliced russet potato to prevent sticking!
  • Preheat the grill for 10-15 minutes.
  • If your chicken breasts are on the larger side, slice them in half lengthwise.
  • Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness for even cooking. Place it in between to pieces of plastic wrap and use a meat mallet, rolling pin, or the back of a frying pan to even it out.
  • Use a meat thermometer to tell when the chicken is perfectly cooked to 165. Cook times can vary depending on your grill and the size of the chicken. The internal temp should be 165°F.
  • Close the grill lid after adding the mozzarella cheese to help it melt. 
  • Freeze and save leftover fresh basil.

Recipe Variations

  • Sprinkle with fresh parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, or fresh lemon juice.
  • Sear the chicken in a large skillet instead of on the grill (see recipe notes). 
  • Make your own homemade basil pesto or vegan basil pesto. Use any leftovers for salmon pesto pasta or orzo pasta salad.
  • Use store-bought pesto as needed, but if you have time, homemade pesto with fresh basil, pine nuts, and parmesan is worth the extra 5 minutes!
  • Swap the Italian seasoning for Herbs de Provence.
  • Brine the chicken in salt water for 30 minutes prior to grilling. This prevents it from getting tough.
a plate of grilled chicken margherita

What to Serve with Margherita Chicken

Allow the dish to cool to room temperature then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can warm leftover grilled chicken breast in the oven to keep it juicy.Warm at 350°F for about 15 minutes or until heated all the way through. 

My favorite way to reheat chicken breasts is in the air fryer with a splash of water in the bottom. I reheated this recipe at 375°F for 6-8 minutes and served it over rice with sauteed italian veggies.

grilled chicken margherita olive garden copycat on a plate

If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a star rating ★ below. You can also tag me on Instagram so I can see it!

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4.94 from 30 votes

Grilled Chicken Margherita Recipe

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
This grilled chicken margherita recipe is a combination of tender Italian grilled chicken breasts covered in melted mozzarella cheese and topped with fresh pesto, and a tomato basil garnish. It’s done in under 30 minutes and even better than the Olive Garden version!

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Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 oz fresh mozzarella cheese sliced
  • 1/2 cup basil pesto homemade or store bought
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes cut in half
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves thinly sliced

Instructions 

  • Brush the grill grates clean the brush them with oil. Preheat the grill to medium-high (400-425°F).
  • Mix together the olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Add the chicken breasts and turn to coat.
    4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, 2 Tablespoons olive oil, 2 cloves garlic, 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning, Salt and pepper to taste
  • Add the chicken to the hot grill, close the lid, and grill the chicken for 5-6 minutes on the first side. Flip the chicken, cook for 2 more minutes, then add the mozzarella cheese. Close the lid and continue cooking until the cheese melts and the internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C. Remove to a clean plate or cutting board to rest.
    4 oz fresh mozzarella cheese
    grilled chicken on grill grates
  • While the chicken is cooking, toss together the diced tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, and fresh sliced basil. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
    1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
    sliced tomatoes, basil, and balsamic mixed in a bowl
  • Make a quick homemade pesto if you haven't already. Top each chicken breast with 1-2 Tablespoons of pesto and spread it out.
    1/2 cup basil pesto
  • Spoon the tomato basil on top and finish with fresh cracked black pepper. Serve right away!
    grilled chicken margherita on a plate
  • Store leftover margherita chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days. I like to reheat it in the airy fryer at 375 for 6-8 minutes (oven works too).
Last step! If you make this, please leave a review letting us know how it was!

Notes

Pan Sear: Drizzle oil in a large saucepan or skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot and shimmering, add the seasoned chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes on the first side. Flip, cook for 1-2 minutes, then add the cheese, close the lid, and finish cooking for another 2-3 minutes, until the cheese melts and the chicken reaches 165°F.

Equipment

  • Indoor or outdoor grill

Nutrition

Serving: 14 ounce chicken breast with toppings | Calories: 500kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 98mg | Sodium: 549mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1046IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 232mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Recipe Rating




55 Comments

  1. Reenie says:

    Molly, I made this recipe for dinner and it was very delicious. I will definitely be making again. Thanks for such a wonderful recipe.

    1. Molly Thompson says:

      Awesome! Thank you!

  2. rogue1 says:

    5 stars
    Simple dinner for a summer night. Good right off the grill, and at room temp. I served mine over orzo
    #WhatWEMade

  3. Angela says:

    This looks amazing! Do you have a suggestion on anything we could use as a substitute for the pesto? We have a pine nut and nut allergy in the family. Thanks!!

    1. Maureen Knudtson says:

      Hi Angela, we haven’t tried a nut-free pesto, so I can’t confirm, but would suggest trying sunflower seeds. Let me know if you try it and what you think!

  4. Nikki Bennett says:

    5 stars
    I love how simple this recipe was! I don’t believe many recipes that say under 30 minutes, but I think this one truly was. I love how the measurements are under each step of the recipe. Very handy! 3 out of the 4 kids liked it (the last one is a 3 year old)! We will be making this again!

  5. Agnes says:

    5 stars
    It was amazing 🤩 made it for lunch today. It came together fast and love all the level of flavors – chicken, pesto, mozzarella and tomato 🍅 Basil 🌿 so yummy 😋

    1. Molly Thompson says:

      Thanks, Agnes!

  6. Molly Monk says:

    5 stars
    Soo good! I will be remaking this recipe. We used all fresh ingredients from our garden and it was perfect. This was such a great summer dinner! I can’t wait to have the leftovers. Agree with the other comment about having the measurements in each step. That is a game changer!!
    #WhatWEMade

  7. LJHouston says:

    5 stars
    Easy and delicious! Amazing how a few ingredients can pack so much flavor! We followed author’s advice and made homemade pesto! Yum! Will make this one again!

    #whatmollymade

  8. Emmy says:

    5 stars
    We made this as part of the monthly challenge and we are so glad we did. This meal had so much flavor and was so easy. It was also the perfect meal to use my garden grown tomatoes and basil. We will be adding this to our meal rotation.

    I also love that you added the measurements to the steps. Saves me from having to scroll back up while I cooked.

    1. Molly Thompson says:

      So glad you liked it Emmy! And thanks for the feedback on the measurements! Something I’m testing because I also hate scrolling back up:)

  9. Jessica says:

    5 stars
    This was delicious! I took the tip of making the homemade pesto and I’m so glad I did, it was easy and delicious! I’ll definitely be making this again! I didn’t use the grill, but I did the pan method. I did have to cook it longer on the stovetop than it said, but I think my chicken breasts were just really thick. Thank you for starting this challenge, it is so fun!

    1. Molly Thompson says:

      Thank you so much, Jessica!! I’m so glad you liked it. I have that happen to me with chicken breasts. You can always pound them thinner next time! Thanks for joining the challenge!

  10. Olivia says:

    5 stars
    This was delicious! I’m glad I did the July challenge. My husband thoroughly I’m enjoyed it and I served it was pesto pasta. Thanks for the recipe!

    1. Molly Thompson says:

      Sounds amazing!!! Thanks for joining the challenge!

  11. Emiley says:

    4 stars
    I made this for the What WE Made Monthly Cooking Challenge – very good and summery! I love the flavors of tomato, mozzarella and balsamic in a salad, so this was a nice variation for a summer grill meal. I think I’ll try with chicken thighs next time since those stay nice and tender on the grill. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Molly Thompson says:

      Love grilled chicken thighs! Thanks for making it, Emiley!

  12. Giulia says:

    5 stars
    My whole family loved this chicken recipe! So good!!

    1. Molly Thompson says:

      Thank you!!

  13. Maris says:

    4 stars
    Made this tonight in the air fryer. It was delicious! Next time I’d go a little lighter on the Italian seasoning and I probably should have pounded the chicken thinner. My husband and I loved it. Great summer dinner!

    1. Molly Thompson says:

      Thanks!

  14. Brooke says:

    5 stars
    This truly is a 5 star recipe!! So fresh, flavorful, and healthy. Love it and will make again!

    1. Molly Thompson says:

      So glad, Brooke! Thanks!

  15. Joan says:

    5 stars
    Excellent recipe. I prepared pesto and tomatoes earlier to save time. Had to resort to cast iron skillet when storm blew through at dinner time. Will make again!

    1. Molly Thompson says:

      So smart to do the pesto in advance! This would be amazing in cast iron!

      1. Jenifer Douglas says:

        5 stars
        Delicious and so easy!

        1. Molly Thompson says:

          Thanks, Jenifer!

  16. Kristy Jo Dellinger says:

    5 stars
    I love finding recipes that use fresh ingredients and it’s not a salad. This was easy to put together and fit in with everyone’s health “want’s”, I did leave some without pesto for my kiddo, but he had some on the side to dip it in. I did add a little Greek seasoning to my chicken to amp a little more flavor, but it would have been just as good without it. P.S. I love how you list the measurements of each item after each step!! I always have to scroll back a bit to see how much of each I’m adding, so thank you! I should probably measure my ingredients out before I start, but sometimes I don’t want to add that step!

    1. Molly Thompson says:

      Sounds amazing, Kristy!! Thanks for taking the time to share.

  17. Olivia Fleming says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is a new staple in our home. Not only was it super simple and quick to make, but my husband and daughter all but licked their plates clean. I served with rice and an italian salad. Thankful to have another dish that is fresh and healthy in our meal rotation. Delicious!

    1. Molly Thompson says:

      You’re so welcome, Olivia! Thanks for commenting!

  18. Sydney says:

    5 stars
    As a first time mom cooking has become stressful and I never know what to make that is easy and nutritious. This recipe was super delicious and I made it in 30 minutes. The longest part was waiting for the chicken to cook. To make things even more simple, I used the jar pesto you can find at CostCo and instead of classic balsamic vinegar I topped it with a balsamic glaze drizzle adding a little sweetness and it was amazing. Definitely recommend to all the busy moms out there.

    1. Molly Thompson says:

      Thanks, Sydney!!

  19. Melissa Krock says:

    5 stars
    This was amazing! Thank you Molly for the recipe and for the pro-tip to make your own pesto! First time ever doing that. Absolutely delicious! I had it with pan fried zucchini and a salad. My husband was blown away.

    1. Molly Thompson says:

      Thanks, Melissa! This sounds amazing!

  20. Faye says:

    5 stars
    Great flavour and simple to make. I paired it with Parmesan Herb Orzo and a salad. Will definitely make again.

    1. Molly Thompson says:

      Hey Faye! Thanks for sharing! Parmesan herb orzo sounds incredible! So glad you’ll make it again.

  21. Jessica Willoughby says:

    5 stars
    This recipe was delish!!! My whole family loved it. I ended up doing half with mozzerella cheese and half with brie cheese, they were soo good. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Molly Thompson says:

      Sounds amazing, Jessica! Thanks!

  22. Steven Cottler says:

    5 stars
    Easy to make. Great from the grill. Use fresh ingredients, like the tomatoes and mozzarella. Tasty. Eat it while warm.

    1. Molly Thompson says:

      Thanks, Steven!!

  23. Sara Williams says:

    5 stars
    I really like a good chicken pesto and balsamic tomato salad. I served this with a simple Cacio e Pepe on the side for my kids and with extra tomatoes for me. Only downside for me isthe high fat content from cheese and oil but that could easily be modified.

    1. Molly Thompson says:

      Thanks, Sara! yes, you can totally do less cheese in this. Thanks!

  24. Caroline says:

    5 stars
    Excellent dish! Did it in the oven as pouring outside. Great combo of flavours. Kids devoured it! Definitely making again.

    1. Molly Thompson says:

      Thanks, Caroline! Our kids loved this one too!

  25. Penny Smith says:

    5 stars
    Yummy with some grilled flatbreads and a side salad!

    1. Molly Thompson says:

      Sounds amazing! Thanks!

  26. Becca says:

    5 stars
    Wow, absolutely delicious!!! Made it for me and my boyfriend and it couldn’t have turned out better!!!

    1. Molly Thompson says:

      Thanks, Becca!

  27. Kasia says:

    5 stars
    It will be my go to recipe for the summer dinner parties 🙂

    1. Molly Thompson says:

      What a compliment! Thank you!

  28. Cyndie says:

    5 stars
    Fabulous and easy!!! Will definitely be having thus again!

    1. Molly Thompson says:

      Love that, Cyndie! Thanks!

  29. Molly Thompson says:

    5 stars
    My new favorite way to grill chicken!