The Best Summer Chicken Recipe You Need To Try

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Anyone who makes this California Grilled Chicken will be instantly obsessed. Marinated chicken breasts are grilled to perfection and topped with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and avocado, then drizzled with a balsamic reduction. It is serious summer perfection!!

California Grilled Chicken

Get out your grill tongs because I’ve got a recipe for you – California Chicken! The whole family is going to love this fresh and flavorful grilled chicken that is the perfect summer recipe. Make it on the grill for a classic flavor or bake it in the oven on a rainy summer day. It is incredible either way!

Super Easy Grilled Chicken

My mouth is literally watering just looking at these pictures so you can bet what I’m buying the next time we head to the store. I love all the simple ingredients in this recipe and the extra tastes and flavors that it brings to this chicken with avocado recipe are so good!

Ingredients for California Avocado Chicken

For a printable recipe card including ingredient quantities, visit the Original California Avocado Chicken Recipe here!

Balsamic vinegar
Honey
Garlic, minced – I like to use fresh cloves of garlic but jarred minced garlic will also work well!
Olive oil
Italian seasoning – Italian seasoning is a mix of basil, parsley, and oregano. Make sure you use unsalted Italian seasoning since there is already salt added to this recipe.
Salt
Pepper
Boneless skinless chicken breasts
Fresh mozzarella cheese – Fresh mozzarella has a completely different taste than bagged, shredded cheese. That fresh taste is part of why this recipe is so incredible!
Avocados, sliced
Cherry tomatoes (halved) – Large, chopped tomatoes will also work well. Try to use sweet tomatoes, like beefsteak or any heirloom tomato, if you need to use a larger fruit.
Fresh chopped basil
Balsamic reduction vinegar -You can find small bottles of balsamic reduction in most grocery stores that are perfect for drizzling over chicken. You can also make your own by boiling balsamic vinegar until it is thick and drippy. This is a great ingredient to have on hand for many recipes!

Variations

Here are a few ingredient substitutions and variations that you may want to try.

Add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the marinade. This makes a delicious, spicy chicken that goes well with the sweet taste of balsamic vinegar.
Marinate the chicken overnight to make it even more flavorful. Cover the bowl of chicken in plastic wrap and let it sit in the fridge to really get those flavors into every bite of chicken.
Make this recipe with smaller chicken tenders. These will grill quickly and are nice and small making them perfect for sandwiches or kebobs.

How To Make California Chicken Recipe

Marinate: In a Ziploc bag, add the balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic, olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken breasts and coat. Marinate for 30 minutes.
Prepare: Meanwhile, heat the oven to 350. Placed halved tomatoes on a baking sheet and drizzled with olive oil. Roast for 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
Grill: Heat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken on each side for about 6 minutes or until cooked throughout and no longer pink.
Serve: Top with mozzarella cheese, avocado, tomato, and basil. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and serve immediately.

How to Store Californa Grilled Chicken

If you happen to have extra grilled chicken, let it cool completely and store the marinated grilled chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. The chicken will keep for 4-5 days.

Add the toppings to the chicken right before you are ready to eat. Sliced avocado can start to turn brown after just a day so it is best to slice and serve as needed.

Serving Suggestions

I am IN LOVE with this grilled chicken recipe because it has a ton of flavor, looks like something you’d get from a 4-star restaurant, and is easy enough to make on a weeknight!

I like to pair this California Grilled Chicken with a simple greens salad with a light dressing. Make some sourdough bread to use for grilled chicken sandwiches or try this Mexican corn salad which I love serving with grilled foods. A fruit salad for dessert is the perfect way to round out this summery meal!

Oven Directions for this California Chicken recipe:

Don’t sweat it if you aren’t a big fan of grilling. You can easily make this recipe in the oven. Just Bake for 15-18 minutes at 450 degrees, or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink.

Try using a cooking thermometer to know exactly when it is fully cooked. The thickest part of the breast should be 165°F.

This easy chicken recipe – California Chicken – will quickly become a favorite for sure! I can’t wait to hear what you think!