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Grilled California Avocado Chicken is tender chicken marinated in an amazing honey garlic balsamic sauce and is grilled to perfection! Topped with a thick slice of mozzarella cheese and avocados, tomatoes, and basil, this chicken is INCREDIBLE!!

The combination of chicken and avocado is one of my favorites! If you love California chicken and don’t have a grill try this delicious California avocado skillet chicken, Chicken Enchiladas with Avocado Cream, or Avocado Chicken Salad.

Grilled Chicken topped with avocado.

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 chicken, topping it with cheese, making the avocado topping and placing at the chicken.

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.

  • 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 wonโ€™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.
Chicken on 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 letโ€™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.
Upclose picture of chicken topped with the avocado salsa and basil.

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.
Grilled California Avocado chicken on a white plate with basil and sliced avocado garnish.

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Grilled California Avocado Chicken

4.85 from 46 votes
By: Alyssa Rivers
Grilled California Avocado Chicken marinates in an amazing honey garlic balsamic sauce and is grilled to perfection! It is topped with a thick slice of mozzarella cheese and avocados, tomatoes and basil. This chicken is INCREDIBLE!!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Servings: 4 People

Equipment

  • Utopia Kitchen Cooking Knives

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • 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.
  • Meanwhile, in a small bowl add the avocado, tomato, basil and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
  • Heat the grill to medium high heat. Grill the chicken on each side about 6 minutes or until cooked throughout and no longer pink. Top with mozzarella cheese and avocado, tomato basil mixture. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and serve immediately.

Video

Notes

Updated on July 21, 2021
Originally Posted on June 11, 2017

Nutrition

Calories: 558kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 33gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 621mgPotassium: 1123mgFiber: 8gSugar: 27gVitamin A: 775IUVitamin C: 18.5mgCalcium: 198mgIron: 2mg

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

Additional Info

Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

A Reader’s Review

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

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

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Recipe Rating




149 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Hope you are enjoying time with your sweet baby! My friend posted this recipe and I was wondering what place avocado had in a “Caprese” recipe. I made this tonight and found out! It adds a wonderful, creamy texture that goes well with the mozzarella. I added twice the garlic and basil… it was delicious! I frequently make recipes I see on Facebook, but this is one I’ll make over and over!!

    1. SO glad that you enjoyed it and loved it! Thank you so much for following along with me! I really appreciate it! Thanks for sharing! XOXO

  2. For some reason, I can’t seem to pin this in Pinterest. Is it just me? This is where I keep all of my recipes.

  3. I made this grilled California avocado chicken last night. I don’t have a grill pan, so I used a large cast iron pan instead. While the recipe was tasty, it all but ruined the pan. I will not be making this again!

    1. You can use 1 tablespoon cider or red wine vinegar plus 1/2 teaspoon sugar to substitute for 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar.

  4. 5 stars
    I made this tonight for dinner and everyone loved it. I loved the flavor of the balsamic with the avocado. My new favorite chicken dish.

    1. That is great to hear! I am so glad that it was loved by all! Thank you so much for sharing! XOXO

  5. 5 stars
    I just moved from California to North Carolina. This was my 1st summer dish prepared and grilled for my wife and friends It was an awesome meal. 4 thumbs up!

    1. That is great to hear! That is a huge move! I am so glad that one of my recipes could comfort you all and make a great evening! XOXO

  6. The drizzle in the video isn’t just straight balsamic vinegar so is it a mix of what the chicken was marinated in?
    Can’t wait to try this though!! ??

  7. 5 stars
    I don’t even usually like avocado, but this recipe was AMAZING! I ate it for lunch the next day too!

  8. 5 stars
    Made this for my husband and he said it was better than a restaurant meal! It was so delicious, it had a nice zesty, tangy flavour! I only made three chicken breasts and we were able to pile on extra veggies that way. If I make it with four, I’ll probably cut up more veggies to go with it, they really just add a balance to it. Thanks for sharing this, it’s going in our cookbook!

    1. That is awesome to hear! Thank you so much for sharing! I am so glad that he liked it and it all tasted great! XOXO

    1. That is great to hear! I am so glad that you enjoyed it for dinner and that it was a success! Thank you for sharing and following along with me! XOXO

  9. Recipe for chicken looks and sounds delicious. Thank you for sharing this. I hope all goes well having your baby, congratulations.โค๏ธ