Grilled Chicken Margherita (Pizza-Inspired, No Pesto)
This Grilled Chicken Margherita is a fresh, pizza-inspired take on a classic, featuring juicy grilled chicken topped with tomato sauce, melted mozzarella, and basil. It’s a simple, flavorful, low-carb alternative to traditional Margherita pizza, made entirely on the grill (with no pesto).
Servings: 4 servings
Cost: $15
Ingredients
- 3 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (or 4 small)
- 2 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 1 mozzarella ball (or 4 slices of low-moisture mozzarella slices)
- 4 large tomato slices (or 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved)
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, julienned
- Optional: balsamic vinegar (1 teaspoon) for finishing
Instructions
- Grill Chicken: Place seasoned chicken breast over direct heat and grill for 6–8 minutes to develop a good sear. Flip and continue grilling until the internal temperature reaches about 155°F using a digital thermometer.
- Move if Needed: If the chicken begins to char too quickly, move it to indirect heat to finish cooking.
- Top Chicken: Once the chicken reaches around 155 degrees, top each piece with pizza sauce, sliced tomato (if using), and a slice of mozzarella cheese.
- Finish Cooking: Close the lid and cook until the chicken reaches 160°F and the cheese is melted (about 3–5 minutes).
- Finish: Remove from the grill and rest briefly. Transfer to a serving dish, and top with a sprinkle of fresh basil and a light drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
Notes
Note: If using cherry or grape tomatoes, add them fresh at the end instead of grilling. I like to slice them in half and toss tomatoes with a bit of olive oil and salt before serving.
To bake instead of grill: Place the chicken on a baking sheet and roast at 400 degrees, following the same instructions as above (cook to 155 degrees, then top with cheese, and continue cooking until 160 degrees). You may need to turn on the broiler if the cheese isn't melted to your heart's desire.
Nutrition
Calories: 112kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 1408mg | Potassium: 440mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 204IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 2mg
