This fresh and healthy California Grilled Chicken recipe features honey balsamic marinated chicken breasts topped with mozzarella, avocado, tomatoes, and basil. I love how simple the ingredients are, marinating time is quick, and grilling chicken makes it deliciously juicy. I could eat this avocado chicken for dinner every night of the week, and considering how easy it is to cook, I just might!

California grilled chicken breasts topped with avocado, mozzarella, tomatoes, and balsamic glaze.

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I’m a little bit obsessed with caprese flavors like mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and balsamic, so this California grilled chicken recipe really hits the spot. I love how fresh and healthy it is, with creamy avocado as the perfect topping for this cheesy honey balsamic chicken.

Ingredients for California Avocado Chicken

  • Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are best for this recipe, but thighs can be used as well.
  • Honey Balsamic Marinade: A combination of balsamic vinegar, honey, olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt and pepper.
  • Mozzarella: Mozzarella works best, but Swiss, provolone, and gruyere make good substitutes.
  • Avocado: Fresh, diced avocado adds a creamy topping.
  • Cherry Tomatoes: Use cherry or grape tomatoes for the topping.
  • Balsamic Glaze: This adds a sweet and tangy finish. Use store-bought or make your own!
  • Basil: Garnish with fresh basil to serve.
Grilled avocado chicken breasts.
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Make it Easy

When I’m struggling to find ripe avocados at the store, I just grab a container of guacamole for the topping. Chunky guacamole with diced tomatoes is the perfect convenience swap for this California grilled chicken! It also tastes great with a fresh Pico de Gallo instead of just tomatoes.

How to Store and Reheat

Store California chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I recommend storing the grilled chicken and avocado/tomato salsa separately for best results. The chicken can also be frozen for 3 months, but I don’t recommend freezing the avocado.

Reheat the chicken on the stovetop until warmed through, then top with the avocado and tomato.

Grilled California chicken breast with avocado tomato salsa on a white plate.

Serving Suggestions

Serve grilled California chicken on a bed of white rice, cilantro lime rice, or salad greens for a beautiful healthy meal. Even though this chicken recipe already features plenty of avocado, I love to start with lots of chips and guac, and it’s a great way to use up those ripe avocados. It also pairs well with this Green Goddess salad on the side!

Recipe Card

California Grilled Chicken

5 from 2 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Marinate: 30 minutes
Total: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Laurel Perry
California grilled chicken breasts topped with avocado, mozzarella, tomatoes, and balsamic glaze.
This healthy, vibrant, and flavorful California grilled chicken breast starts with a honey balsamic marinade, and finishes with a topping of mozzarella, avocado, and tomato.
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
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Ingredients 

  • ¾ cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 4 slices mozzarella cheese
  • 2 avocados diced
  • 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes quartered
  • 2 tablespoons sliced basil
  • balsamic glaze for drizzling

Instructions 

  • In a medium bowl, whisk the balsamic vinegar, honey, olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
    ¾ cup balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    Honey balsamic marinade in a glass mixing bowl.
  • Place the chicken breasts in a large zip top bag and pour the marinade over the top. Seal the bag and massage the bag until all the chicken is coated in the sauce. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours.
    4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
    Chicken breasts marinating in a resealable bag.
  • While the chicken marinates and just before grilling, combine the avocado and cherry tomatoes in a bowl. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper and toss to combine. Refrigerate until ready to use.
    2 avocados, 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
    Chopped tomato and avocado salsa in a glass mixing bowl.
  • Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Oil the grates as needed. Grill the chicken until cooked through, about 6-8 minutes per side. Top each breast with a slice of mozzarella, cover and cook until melted, about 1-2 minutes
    4 slices mozzarella cheese
    Chicken breasts topped with mozzarella, cooking in a grill pan.
  • Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and top each breast with ¼ of the avocado tomato mixture, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Serve immediately.
    2 tablespoons sliced basil, balsamic glaze
    California avocado grilled chicken breasts arranged on a white serving platter.

Video

Becky’s Tips

  • This can be made using a grill pan or outdoor grill.
  • To make your own balsamic glaze, combine 2 cups balsamic vinegar and ½ cup brown sugar in a medium saucepan. Simmer for 20 minutes or until the mixture coats the back of a spoon. Cool before using.
Calories: 455kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 28gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 453mgPotassium: 1272mgFiber: 9gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 1243IUVitamin C: 28mgCalcium: 67mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

How to Make Grilled California Chicken Step by Step

Make the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together ¾ cup of balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons of honey, 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper. 

Honey balsamic marinade in a glass mixing bowl.

Marinate the Chicken: Place 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts in a large resealable bag, then pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal the bag and massage it until all of the chicken is fully coated in the sauce. Place the bag in the refrigerator to marinate, for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.

Chicken breasts marinating in a resealable bag.

Make the Avocado Salsa: While the chicken is marinating (just before grilling), combine 2 diced avocados and 1 pint of cherry tomatoes (cut into quarters) in a bowl. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper and toss to combine. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Chopped tomato and avocado salsa in a glass mixing bowl.

Grill the Chicken: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates as needed. Grill the marinated chicken until cooked through, about 6-8 minutes per side.

Balsamic marinated chicken breasts grilling in a pan.

Melt the Cheese: Top each breast with a slice of mozzarella, then cover and cook until melted, about 1-2 minutes.

Chicken breasts topped with mozzarella, cooking in a grill pan.

Finish and Serve: Transfer the chicken to a serving platter, then top each chicken breast with ¼ of the avocado tomato mixture, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Serve California grilled chicken immediately, while fresh!

California avocado grilled chicken breasts arranged on a white serving platter.

More Grilled Chicken Recipes To Try

Meet Laurel Perry

Laurel Perry has been a professional food videographer and recipe developer since 2014. Her work can be seen across the internet and on The Cookie Rookie. When not cooking, she spends her time with her husband and sons, wanders as many farmers markets as she can, and sneaks in a fitness class as often as possible.

5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)
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JOYCE H.
JOYCE H.
June 23, 2024 11:36 am

This is delicious! Also very easy to make!5 stars