This Chicken Margherita has chicken breasts that are coated with crispy breadcrumbs, then topped with melted mozzarella and a quick tomato-basil sauce. The perfect dish to enjoy the bounties of the summer!
I love the simplicity of anything Margherita – like this Margherita Pizza. This chicken recipe showcases that simplicity is delicious!
At this point, after blogging for over 6 years, my family is pretty used to trying new recipes. My husband knows that, usually, the only way to get something for dinner that we’ve had before is to specifically ask for me to make it. Otherwise, besides the few busy night staples like pizza or tacos, it’s usually a new recipe.
Thank goodness my family likes new. Thank goodness they aren’t afraid to try something that I’ve never made before. Thank goodness they trust me.
We eat a lot of things that we really like. And yes, there are those nights that I make something and then promise never to make it again. But every once in awhile, there will be a dish that before dinner is even over, my husband will be asking for it to be added to the menu again.
This Chicken Margherita is one of those meals. Two bites in, and he made me promise to make it for him again. Soon.
Thank goodness this is such a simple recipe! And a perfect recipe for this time of year, when tomatoes are starting to come off the vine and the basil plant is flourishing. Try to get the best quality of mozzarella that you can find for this recipe, as well. The best I could come up with was what the grocery store claimed was fresh mozzarella (although we all know that it isn’t really all that fresh…), but it was still pretty amazing. I can only imagine how good it would have been with some truly fresh mozzarella!
An easy and fast dinner that my family loves? Can’t really beat that!
More Weeknight Chicken Dinners
Chicken Pesto Pasta
Chicken Quesadillas with Refried Beans
Chicken a la King
Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
Skillet Chicken with Garlic and Herbs
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Chicken Margherita
Ingredients
- 3 plum tomatoes diced
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 2 tablespoons chopped red onion
- 4 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6-8 oz each), or 2 larger chicken breasts cut in half into 4 thinner pieces
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 1 1/4 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 6 oz fresh mozzarella cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°F. Place a cooling rack over a baking sheet.
- In a bowl, combine the tomatoes, basil, red onion, 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and vinegar. Season with the salt and pepper.
- Place the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil in a large sauté pan and heat over medium heat.
- If using 4 smaller chicken breasts, place each breast between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and pound lightly with a meat mallet to until they are about 3/8” thick.
- Place the eggs in a shallow dish, and the panko breadcrumbs in a separate shallow dish. Dip each piece of chicken into the eggs to coat, then into the panko. Use your hands to press the breadcrumbs into the chicken, if needed. Cook in 2 batches in the hot olive oil until crisp on both sides and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Remove and place on the baking sheet and place in the oven to keep warm.
- When all of the chicken has been cooked, return all 4 pieces of chicken to the pan and top with the mozzarella. Cover the pan and cook just until the cheese is melted, 3-5 minutes.
- Transfer the chicken to a serving plate and top with the tomatoes.
Tracey says
It’s the same way at our house – very rarely do I repeat recipes, especially when it comes to sweet treats! But this chicken definitely looks worthy of a repeat – a perfect summer meal idea!
Joanne says
We have both of those kinds of nights also…you get the bad with the good..and this is definitely the GOOD. So many great summer flavors!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
My family loves to try new dishes too. Life of a food blogger right?
And wow, this chicken is perfection. I love all of the flavors!
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
I definitely have to make this for my boyfriend, he will love it!
Chels R. says
That is a pretty dinner! I bet it tastes fantastic!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I need this in my life, love the crispy chicken and that gorgeous tomato topper!
Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen says
So perfect for busy weeknights! I adore simple chicken dinners 🙂
Bev @ Bev Cooks says
This makes me cry. The sexy kind. And now I need it.
kristy says
This will be on our menu soon! I’m always looking for ways to use my basil and new ways to make chicken. I love that you guys eat new all the time. I wish I had the energy to do that! I will say blogging keeps us out of ruts, but not nearly as much as you guys! Thanks for another good one to add to my menu (and for keeping the next week out of a rut). 😉
Chaya says
I love this recipe because of the simplicity and the fresh vegetables. I am thinking of changing to this from the chicken dish, I had thought about making this week. Thanks.
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes says
My family would love this too.
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch says
Great recipe! Love the simple, flavorful ingredients. This is definitely a recipe that can become a regular dish for any family!
Tieghan says
Oh so pretty! This the perfect meal for my family since everyone would eat it! That is an amazing thing when that happens!
cassie says
I absolutely love this, Deborah. I have been searching for new chicken recipes lately and this one is right up my alley! Thanks for the link love, too!
Colleen @ What's Baking in the Barbershop?! says
I JUST bought some mozzarella yesterday! I may just need to try this this week! Looks wonderful. Love all the flavors going on here!
Belinda @themoonblushbaker says
You do not need a lot of fancy ingredients to make some great. My cheese come from the super market and salad does sometimes come from a bag, that is life. Your chicken looks delicious. I like the fact you did not fry it, great for busy week day dinners.