California Chicken

Delight your taste buds with our tantalizing California Chicken recipe. This mouthwatering dish captures the essence of California’s vibrant and fresh flavors, bringing together tender grilled chicken breasts, zesty marinade, creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, and luscious melted mozzarella.

Each bite is a symphony of textures and tastes! Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or simply craving a wholesome and satisfying meal, our California Chicken recipe is the perfect choice.

fork picking up a piece of California chicken

Recipe Notes:

You will need the following ingredients:

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Boneless skinless chicken thighs also work well in this recipe. You can substitute a bone-in chicken breast or thigh if needed but be aware that the cooking time will vary for different cuts, so be sure to cook to an appropriate temperature internally.
Balsamic vinaigrette and marinade: I used Great Value, but any brand will work well. You can substitute a balsamic vinaigrette if you can’t find a marinade.
Sliced fresh mozzarella: Fresh mozzarella is best for this recipe; however, you can substitute any sliced mozzarella, cheddar, provolone, or pepper jack cheese if desired.
Avocados: Make sure your avocado is ripe.
Tomatoes: I used large, slicing tomatoes for this dish. You can substitute hot house, Roma, or grape tom

How should I store my California Chicken?

If you have any leftovers, store your California Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Keeping it within 2 hours of cooking would prevent bacterial growth. You can store cooked chicken in the fridge for up to 4 days.

To reheat the chicken, you can microwave it for a minute or two or reheat it in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes or until it is heated. While you technically can freeze California Chicken, it is not recommended. The texture and quality of the chicken may suffer after being frozen and thawed, particularly if it has been topped with avocado and tomato, which do not freeze well. Additionally, the mozzarella cheese may become rubbery or lose its texture after being frozen and thawed.

Note that adding the avocado to your chicken may not store as well as the other ingredients, as it can quickly turn brown and mushy in the fridge. If you want to store the avocado separately, keep it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic, squeezing out as much air as possible to help prevent browning. Add the avocado to the chicken just before serving. You can remove the tomatoes for the reheating process or left on for a cooked tomato flavor.

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What should I serve with my California Chicken?

Grilled vegetables: Grilled zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, or asparagus would make a great complement to the chicken. You could brush the vegetables with some balsamic marinade for added flavor.

Salad: A simple green salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette would be a refreshing and healthy side dish. We love this Strawberry Avocado Salad.

Roasted potatoes: Roasted or grilled potatoes with herbs and garlic would be a delicious and hearty side dish to serve with the chicken. Any potato dish works well with California Chicken as it adds some starch to balance the richness of the balsamic, cheese, and avocado.

Rice or quinoa: A side of rice or quinoa would help balance the meal and provide additional protein and fiber.

Bread: Some crusty bread or garlic bread is perfect for mopping up any leftover marinade or sauce from the chicken.

Wine: A crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light red like Pinot Noir would be a great pairing with California Chicken.

Fruit: Sliced fruit like watermelon or pineapple would be a refreshing and light addition to the meal.