Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can marinate the chicken the night before, and even chop the tomatoes and basil ahead. Just cut the avocado right before serving so it doesn’t brown.

Can I use a different protein?

Yes! This works beautifully with grilled turkey cutlets or even thick portobello mushrooms if you're going meatless.

How do I store leftovers?

Store chicken and toppings separately in airtight containers. Reheat the chicken gently and top with fresh avocado and tomato for best results.

Grilled California Avocado Chicken - Chicken magic recipes

Description

Grilled California Avocado Chicken is a fresh, vibrant, and easy-to-make dish featuring juicy grilled chicken breasts topped with creamy avocado, diced tomatoes, fresh basil, and melty mozzarella. Perfect for a healthy summer dinner or a flavorful weeknight meal, this recipe comes together in under 45 minutes and is loaded with bold, satisfying flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Marinade:

¾ cup balsamic vinegar
¼ cup honey
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Chicken:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 slices mozzarella cheese

Topping:

2 ripe avocados, diced
3 Roma tomatoes, diced (any tomato will work)
¼ cup fresh chopped basil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Extra balsamic vinegar, for drizzling (optional)

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Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic, olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Add the chicken breasts to the marinade and coat well. Let marinate for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare the topping. In a small bowl, mix avocado, diced tomatoes, basil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside.
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
Grill the marinated chicken for about 6 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
During the last minute of cooking, top each chicken breast with a slice of mozzarella and allow it to melt slightly.
Remove from grill and top with the avocado-tomato mixture.
Drizzle with additional balsamic vinegar if desired and serve immediately.

Notes

No grill? Use a grill pan or skillet on the stovetop.
Marinate the chicken longer for deeper flavor—up to 8 hours in the fridge.
For a meal prep win, store the grilled chicken separately from the topping and assemble just before eating.
Goes great with rice, salad, or grilled veggies!

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Category: Dinner
Method: Grilling
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 420 kcal
Sugar: 9 g
Sodium: 410 mg
Fat: 21 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 15 g
Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 41 g
Cholesterol: 90 mg