Grilled California Avocado Chicken

I could not wait to share with you this grilled California avocado chicken!  Cue all of the heart eye emojis for the avocado, tomato, and basil combination! My mouth was watering making this avocado salad of sorts to top off the chicken. It provides a fresh and delicious element on top of the moist, flavorful chicken. It also makes for a vibrant, colorful, and delicious presentation. So pretty!  In spite of looking too great to eat, this grilled California avocado chicken was quickly devoured by my family!

Usually, when something looks and tastes this good, I know I am going to have to put in lots of ingredients and lots of time to make it.  However, this avocado chicken comes together so quickly and easily I was shocked! I am telling you, this was one of the best things that I have ever thrown on the grill. I already can’t wait to make it again. The flavors came together so well and I know that this will become a family favorite at your house as well!

Avocado Chicken Ingredients

First of all, this chicken marinates in a honey garlic balsamic sauce. It marinates to perfection and honestly grills up tender and juicy! The flavor is absolutely unreal in this chicken.

• Balsamic vinegar: This is the acidic ingredient in the marinade that will act as a tenderizer.
• Honey:  Part of the marinade that adds flavor and keeps the chicken super juicy.
• Garlic: Cloves, minced
• Olive oil: The oil in your marinade will penetrate the meat, and bring the other flavors of the marinade along with it.
• Italian seasoning:  The perfect blend of flavors for most things, but especially this avocado chicken!
• Salt and pepper: To taste.
• Chicken: Boneless skinless breasts will grill best.
• Mozzarella: I love how fresh sliced mozzarella pairs with the tomato and basil, but any good melting cheese will work to smother the chicken.
• Avocados: Diced to bite size perfection.
• Roma tomatoes:  Any tomato will work, just be sure to cut into bite sized pieces.
• Basil: Fresh chopped basil is perfect on this chicken.
• Optional: Balsamic vinegar for drizzling

How to Grill California Chicken

And just when you think that it can’t get any better, top it with a thick slice of mozzarella cheese when it comes off of the grill. It gets so melty and ooey-gooey. Then, JUST when you think it can’t possibly get any better with the ooey-gooey cheese on top comes the avocado, tomato, and basil.  Mind blown!

1. Marinate chicken: In a medium sized bowl, whisk the balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic, olive oil, italian seasoning, and salt and pepper. Add the chicken breasts and coat. Marinate for 30 minutes.
2. Mix avocado topping: Meanwhile, in a small bowl add the avocado, tomato, basil and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
3. Grill: Heat the grill to medium high heat. Grill the chicken on each side about 6 minutes or until cooked throughout and no longer pink.
4. Dress chicken and serve: Top with mozzarella cheese and avocado, tomato basil mixture. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and serve immediately.

Grilling the Perfect Grilled California Avocado Chicken

Chicken can be tricky to grill without drying it out, but I’ve got all the tips to keep it moist and tender.

Try This Next Za’atar Chicken

• Make sure your grill is clean before you begin and rub some oil on the grates to prevent the chicken from sticking.
• Thinly sliced chicken breasts won’t take as long to reach temperature. If your chicken breasts are really thick, pound them to thin them out.  It will reduce cooking time and help it to cook more evenly.
• Basic rule is 3-5 minutes per side on medium to high heat, but will vary depending on the thickness of your meat.
• You are aiming for a medium, indirect heat while grilling so that the outside of the chicken does not burn while you get the inside up to temperature.
• Keep the grill closed while cooking. This will keep the heat in and allow the chicken to cook quicker and more evenly.
• The chicken is done the temperature reaches 165 degrees or the juices run clear.
• The chicken will continue to cook slightly even after removed from the grill.

Variations for Grilled Chicken

It may not be possible to improve on this amazing recipe, but we tried.

• Marinate: Marinate in a combination of olive oil, lime juice, cilantro and garlic. (The longer it marinates the more flavor you will get, so if you have more time, let it sit in the juices for up to 24 hours.)
• Add more flavor! If you want even more spice and flavor: Add garlic seasoning on the chicken and use pepper jack cheese instead of mozzarella.
• Toppings: To change it up, you could even add black olives or bacon on top. Because let’s be honest.  Everything is better with bacon!
• What to serve with it? Serve with rice, a fresh salad, or seasoned fingerling potatoes.
• Bake instead of grilling: Cover the chicken with foil and cook chicken only at 350 for approximately 45 minutes depending on thickness of the chicken.  Then, uncover and add cheese and basil and place back in the oven for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese melts.  Finally, top with the fresh avocado mixture immediately before serving.

Storing Grilled Chicken

I am not sure you will have any leftovers with this delicious chicken but it is easy to store just in case. Here are a few steps to help keep your grilled chicken fresh.

• Allow to cool after cooking no more than 2 hours before refrigerating or freezing.
• Store in a shallow airtight container.
• Grilled California Avocado Chicken will be good in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 4 months.
• To avoid freezer burn be sure to pack your chicken tightly with airtight heavy-duty foil, plastic wrap or freezer paper or putting it in a freezer bag.

More Chicken Recipes To Love

When cooking with chicken, it’s a winner-winner chicken dinner! You just can’t go wrong. It is a low fat, high protein meat that is mild in flavor so it goes with everything! You can spices and other ingredients from all sorts of different cultures. Grill it, bake it, instant pot it, or air fryer it and it all works! There are both light and dark parts to the chicken which gives it versatility and diversity. Make up one of these chicken recipes tonight and rediscover how easy it is to work with chicken and how delicious it is too!

A Reader’s Review

“So many good flavors! I w’ ill make this over and over forever!” – Andrea

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Za’atar Chicken

Seasoned with a traditional Middle Eastern Za’atar spice blend and grilled, this Za’atar chicken is juicy and packed with unique flavors. In just 20 minutes you’ll have a flavorful and filling dinner that no one will forget!

If you have never heard of Za’atar seasoning, you are not alone! I just heard of it recently, and now I’m hooked! It’s a great savory blend of warm and earthy seasonings that will really wow your taste buds. You can also make the spice at home! If you like homemade spices, you’ll have to try this Homemade Fajita Seasoning, this better than store bought Italian Seasoning, and this Taco Seasoning too!

Grilled Za’atar Chicken

So at this point you may be wondering what is Za’atar seasoning? It is a blend of savory, nutty, and earthy spices that usually includes oregano, thyme, marjoram, and sumac. There are different blends of Za’atar seasoning based on where you are eating it. Kind of like curry the ingredients can change based on the area it’s made in. I have a link to the Za’atar seasoning blend in the recipe box below too if you want to make it, or you can pick it up from the store.

Grilled Za’atar Chicken is quickly marinated in the Za’atar seasoning and olive oil and grilled to perfection. I really think you are going to love this dish! It’s an easy 20 minute dinner that would go great with some pita bread and hummus. I also love with baba ganoush which goes great with this Za’atar seasoning. You can actually sprinkle some on top and the flavor is incredible. I think this will be a new family favorite!

Ingredients

These simple ingredients combine to make the most delicious and moist chicken. This Za’atar chicken is so unique, and amazingly flavorful! If you are looking for a great easy dinner, then this is the recipe for you! See the recipe card below for exact measurements.

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: If you get a breast that is really thick, then you’ll want to flatten it out a bit so that it will all cook evenly on the grill.
• Olive Oil: Olive oil is a must for this recipe. It’s a great quality oil that helps the flavors in the seasonings really pop.
• Lemon Juice: Lemon juice is just what this recipe needs to bring out all of these gorgeous flavors!
• Za’atar Seasoning: I love making this blend at home! It is really herby and nutty, and perfect on meat. I add sesame seeds, coriander, and salt to my blend and I think it’s fantastic!
• Garlic: Minced garlic is one of my favorite things to eat on chicken. It’s so full of flavor and makes every bite the perfect one!

Za’atar Chicken Recipe

This recipe is so easy! I love how quickly it comes together and it really is so delicious. I ate it with some tomatoes and pita bread and it was perfection. Some of my kids added salt and pepper, but I thought it was perfect the way it was. You can make it however you like, and I know you are going to love it!

Popular Recipe Grilled Fish with Lemon and Capers

1. Whisk: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, za’atar seasoning, and garlic.
2. Put in Bag: Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag then pour the mixture over the chicken.
3. Refrigerate: Seal the bag and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to overnight.
4. Grill: Grill chicken breasts on medium-high heat for 7-8 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches 165° Fahrenheit.
5. Enjoy: Let the chicken rest before slicing and enjoying!

Tips for Grilling Chicken

Here are a few simple ways to make yourself the master of the grill! Once your friends and family get a bite of your grilled Za’atar chicken, they’ll be hooked. It’s hard not to be when they’re so juicy and flavorful.

• Use a Thermometer: This step is super important so that your chicken doesn’t dry out on the grill. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of your chicken. You can take them off the grill when the temperature inside reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you cook them any more than that, they may dry out.
• Let Rest: The key to juicy grilled Za’atar chicken is letting it rest for a minute or two after you pull it off the grill. This allows all of the tasty juices to reabsorb, giving you chicken breast that will melt in your mouth! If you cut into them too soon after grilling, those juices may be released instead of absorbing back into the meat.
• Dripping: If you have seasoning and oil dripping off of your chicken, it will make the flames touch the meat and that’s where the black burned part comes from. If you don’t want crispy crunchy parts on your chicken, make sure that your seasoning is all over your chicken, but not dripping off.

Storing Leftovers

Who doesn’t wan’t grilled Za’atar chicken for leftovers? This recipe makes enough to serve eight people, so if you need to save your leftovers here is how.

In the Refrigerator: Store your cooled chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

More Chicken Recipes

I love a simple chicken dinner! But sometimes chicken can taste boring when you are always making it the same way. Here are some recipes that will give you great ideas to keep your chicken tasting unique and juicy!

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