Chicken Margherita Recipe
Chicken Margherita is a flavorful and vibrant dish featuring juicy chicken breasts topped with melted mozzarella, fresh basil pesto, roasted cherry tomatoes, and a sprinkle of parmesan. This Italian-inspired recipe combines the freshness of basil and tomatoes with hearty chicken, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Roasted Tomatoes
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Chicken
- 4 medium chicken breasts, pounded to ½ inch thick evenly
- Olive oil, a few drizzles for cooking
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, about ½ teaspoon per chicken breast
- Black pepper, to taste
Toppings
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup basil pesto (plus more to taste)
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
- Grated parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for roasting the cherry tomatoes.
- Roast the tomatoes: In a small baking dish, toss the cherry tomatoes with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, and salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for about 12 minutes until the tomatoes are blistered and flavorful, then set aside.
- Season the chicken: While the tomatoes roast, season the chicken breasts with olive oil drizzles, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper ensuring each breast is well-coated.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a few drizzles of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken breasts for approximately 6 minutes per side, or until fully cooked through and juices run clear.
- Melt the cheese: On the same skillet, place shredded mozzarella cheese on top of each chicken breast. Cover the skillet with a lid to allow the cheese to melt completely. Alternatively, you can broil the cheese-covered chicken in the oven for 1-2 minutes until melted and bubbly.
- Assemble toppings: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of basil pesto onto each cheesy chicken breast, then add roasted cherry tomatoes and sprinkle with fresh sliced basil.
- Garnish and serve: Finish by garnishing with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious Chicken Margherita!
Notes
- You can adjust the seasoning according to your taste preference.
- If you don’t have fresh basil, dried basil can be substituted but fresh is preferred for best flavor.
- Broiling to melt the cheese is faster but keep a close eye to avoid burning.
- For even cooking, make sure chicken breasts are pounded to an even thickness.
- Leftover chicken can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently to preserve moisture.
Find it online: https://cookedbysarah.com/chicken-margherita-recipe/