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Chicken margherita on a plate with roasted cherry tomatoes next to a glass of red wine.
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5 from 10 votes

Chicken Margherita For One

This single serving Chicken Margherita features a juicy baked chicken breast topped with basil pesto, mozzarella, and roasted tomatoes, finished with a lemon garlic butter sauce for a flavorful small batch Italian-inspired meal for one.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Low Carb, Gluten Free
Keyword: chicken, chicken margherita, low carb, Olive Garden, olive garden chicken margherita
Servings: 1 serving
Author: Joanie Zisk

Equipment

Ingredients

  • ½ tablespoon olive oil -divided
  • 1 (6-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breast or boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 tablespoons pesto
  • ½ cup halved grape tomatoes
  • 1 ounce shredded mozzarella cheese

For The Lemon Garlic Sauce

  • 1 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 clove garlic -minced
  • ½ teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
US - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Lightly coat the bottom of a small baking dish with ¼ teaspoon olive oil. Place the chicken breast in the dish.
  • Spread pesto over the chicken, scatter tomatoes around it, and drizzle with the remaining olive oil.
  • Bake for 20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F internally.
  • Top with mozzarella and bake for 5 more minutes, until the cheese is melted.
  • Lemon Garlic Sauce: Melt butter in a small skillet. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in lemon juice and parsley, then cook for 1 minute more. Spoon the sauce over the chicken before serving.

Notes

  • Use the Right Size Baking Dish: A small baking dish keeps the tomatoes close to the chicken so they soften and release their juices into the pan.
  • Check for Doneness: Chicken is fully cooked when it reaches 165°F in the thickest part and the juices run clear.
  • Add Cheese at the End: Adding mozzarella during the last few minutes prevents overbrowning and keeps it soft.
  • Taste Before Adding Salt: Pesto and mozzarella can already be salty. Taste the finished dish before adding more salt.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 498kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 382mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 955IU | Calcium: 48mg

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