Grilled Tuscan Chicken with Pesto Recipe is bursting with flavor from Italian herbs, garlic, creamy mozzarella, and a vibrant kale pesto. Easy, fresh, and perfect for grilling season!
Grilled chicken is topped with fresh mozzarella cheese and a dollop of fresh pesto for an easy Tuscan Chicken Recipe for dinner tonight!
Jump to:
Grilled Tuscan Chicken
A healthy dinner is always the best way to go! And it's so easy to do in the summer.
Just grill up seasoned chicken breasts and then top with fresh mozzarella and kale pesto.
Wow! Now we're talking!
Fire up the grill and serve bold, Italian flavors for dinner tonight with this Grilled Tuscan Chicken with Pesto!
Tender chicken breasts are seasoned with garlic, Italian herbs, and spices, grilled to perfection, then topped with a flavorful homemade kale pesto and fresh mozzarella cheese.
This recipe is so simple and makes the most of fresh, summer ingredients.
Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue or planning an easy weeknight meal, this dish brings the essence of Tuscany straight to your plate. Serve with a tossed salad and fresh vegetables for a complete meal.
With fresh herbs, creamy cheese, and a homemade pesto topping, this Grilled Tuscan Chicken with Pesto is a delicious and easy to make dinner with gourmet vibes.
Learn all about pesto, what does pesto taste like, how to make it, store it and even freeze it, along with lots more pesto recipes!
Keep some kale pesto on hand in your fridge and you'll be able to put a fabulous dinner on the table with minimal ingredients!
Kale pesto, made from the ever-popular super food, is rich in beta carotene, vitamin K, vitamin C and calcium. It also has anti-cancer properties, boosts DNA repair in cells, lowers cholesterol and decreases the absorption of dietary fat.
Yes, please top my grilled chicken with kale pesto and cheese too!
Juicy grilled chicken layered with bold Italian herbs, kale pesto, and creamy fresh mozzarella is your new go-to summer dinner!
How to make grilled Tuscan chicken
This is a quick overview of how to make this recipe. Scroll down for the full recipe instructions and ingredient amounts in the recipe card below
- Preheat the grill for direct grilling
- Season the chicken with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, kosher salt and pepper
- Grill until the chicken is cooked through and juices run clear
- Top with mozzarella cheese and grill until the cheese is melted, about 1-2 minutes
- Top with the pesto and serve
Recipe Tips
- Preheat the grill – Preheating your grill for about 10 minutes will give you the best flavor and grill marks on your chicken.
- Use a meat thermometer – The best way to check if your chicken is cooked through is to check it with a meat thermometer. Cooking your chicken to 165F guarantees that it is cooked through and juicy.
- Let it rest – Always let chicken rest for about 5 minutes after cooking so the juices can redistribute.
Substitutions
- Chicken breasts - Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can replace boneless skinless chicken breasts and will actually give you a juicier, richer outcome.
- Kale pesto – I used my homemade kale pesto recipe but you can ue a storenbought pesto instead.
- Fresh mozzarella – You can replace the fresh mozzarella with sliced provolone, burrata, or even shredded mozzarella cheese.
Variations
- Add tomatoes – Add sliced cherry tomatoes on top of the pesto.
- Balsamic Glaze – Drizzle with a balsamic glaze drizzle before serving.
- Make it spicy - Add crushed red pepper flakes when seasoning the chicken for a hint of spicy heat.
- Serve it on a bun – Make a gourmet sandwich and serve the chicken on a buttered and grilled ciabatta and top with baby arugula.
- Flavored Pesto – Use a sun-dried tomato pesto in place of kale pesto.
Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts - Boneless skinless chicken breasts are perfect for grilling and become juicy and flavorful.
- Italian Seasoning – Dried Italian seasoning is a blend of classic Mediterranean herbs such as oregano, basil, rosemary, and thyme. This mediterranean seasoning blend adds an earthy flavor that complements the pesto.
- Garlic Powder – Garlic powder adds a savory flavor note to the recipe
- Kosher Salt – Kosher salt makes all the flavors pop and shine.
- Black Pepper - Black pepper adds just the right touch of spice and sharpness and helps to balance the flavors of the herbs and cheese.
- Kale Pesto – Kale pesto is a twist on classic pesto that adds a fresh and delicious flavor to the chicken
- Fresh Mozzarella - Fresh mozzarella is a creamy mild cheese that melts beautifully on top of the warm grilled chicken.
Grilled Tuscan Chicken with Pesto
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 4 slices fresh mozzarella
- 1/3 cup kale pesto
I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.
Instructions
- Preheat grill for direct heat grilling.
- Season chicken with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, kosher salt and pepper.
- Grill chicken, turning once, until cooked through and meat thermometer reads 165F.
- Top each chicken breast with one slice mozzarella. Grill until the cheese is heated through, 1-2 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the grill and top with kale pesto.
Notes
Nutrition
Thanks for stopping by. Leave a tip or comment...