What is chicken Margherita Olive Garden?

Grilled chicken margherita Olive Garden is a popular menu item featuring grilled chicken breasts topped with fresh mozzarella, basil pesto, and juicy cherry tomatoes. It’s served in a light lemon butter sauce that adds brightness to every bite. This dish draws inspiration from traditional margherita flavors—mozzarella, tomato, and basil—layered over tender grilled chicken instead of pizza crust. It’s a flavorful, protein-packed meal that feels both indulgent and fresh.

How many calories are in Olive Garden grilled chicken Margherita?

The original grilled chicken margherita Olive Garden entree contains around 540 to 590 calories per serving, depending on portion size and any added sides. Our homemade copycat version provides approximately 586 calories , including the mozzarella, butter sauce, and pesto. If you're looking to reduce calories, you can cut back on the cheese or use a lighter homemade pesto.

Is grilled chicken Margherita from Olive Garden keto friendly?

Yes, the grilled chicken margherita Olive Garden recipe is considered keto-friendly for most people following a low-carb diet. With about 6 grams of carbs per serving , this dish fits well into a ketogenic lifestyle, especially if served without starchy sides like pasta or bread. You can keep it low-carb by pairing it with sautéed spinach, cauliflower rice, or grilled zucchini.

What has the most protein at Olive Garden?

Among high-protein options at Olive Garden, the grilled chicken margherita Olive Garden dish ranks high. It offers over 45 grams of protein per serving , making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to hit their protein goals. Other contenders include the Herb-Grilled Salmon and the 6 oz. Sirloin, but the margherita chicken stands out for its flavor and balance of nutrients.

Grilled Chicken Margherita Olive Garden: 8 Proven Tricks for a Bold Flavor Boost

Name: Grilled Chicken Margherita Olive Garden Copycat (Better Than the Original!)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced horizontally to create cutlets (See Notes); ▢2 tablespoons olive oil; ▢1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; ▢3/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste; ▢1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste; ▢4 tablespoons salted butter; ▢4 cloves garlic, minced; ▢1 tablespoon lemon zest, (1 small lemon); ▢2-3 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed (from zested lemon); ▢6 slices fresh mozzarella; ▢6 tablespoons basil pesto, homemade or store bought; ▢1 cup diced fresh tomatoes, (we use a combination of halved grape tomatoes and quartered Campari tomatoes; ▢1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Description

This grilled chicken margherita Olive Garden copycat is a quick and flavorful dinner made with juicy grilled chicken breasts, fresh mozzarella, zesty lemon butter sauce, basil pesto, and ripe cherry tomatoes. It’s a restaurant-style Italian dish you can make at home in just 30 minutes—perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or impressing guests with bold, fresh flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

6 boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced horizontally to create cutlets (See Notes)
▢2 tablespoons olive oil
▢1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
▢3/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
▢1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
▢4 tablespoons salted butter
▢4 cloves garlic, minced
▢1 tablespoon lemon zest, (1 small lemon)
▢2-3 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed (from zested lemon)
▢6 slices fresh mozzarella
▢6 tablespoons basil pesto, homemade or store bought
▢1 cup diced fresh tomatoes, (we use a combination of halved grape tomatoes and quartered Campari tomatoes
▢1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

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Instructions

Remove chicken breasts from packaging and use a paper towel to pat them dry. Rub all sides with olive oil, then sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Heat grill to medium high heat. Cook prepared chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until internal temperature reaches 162°F. (Time will vary depending on thickness of chicken breast. If some chicken pieces are larger than others, remove chicken as it is done cooking and set aside while larger/thicker pieces finish cooking.)
In a cast iron skillet, heat butter over medium heat until melted. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute, or until very fragrant.
Add lemon juice and lemon zest to the skillet, whisking to combine; simmer for 1-2 minutes.
Place the grilled chicken into the pan, flipping it once to coat both sides in the lemon butter sauce.
Top each piece of chicken with 1-2 slices of fresh mozzarella. Cover the pan and simmer on low for another minute or two, until cheese has melted. *See Notes
Spoon a tablespoon of pesto (more or less to your liking) over each piece of chicken and top with fresh tomatoes and chopped basil. Serve immediately.

Notes

If you’d like extra sauce for your grilled chicken Margherita Olive Garden dish, sprinkle in 1 tablespoon of flour right after toasting the garlic. Then, whisk in ½ cup of water along with the lemon zest and juice. Let it simmer until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.

Using thin-sliced chicken breasts—also known as chicken cutlets—works especially well for grilled chicken Margherita. Cutlets grill quickly and evenly thanks to their uniform thickness, making them ideal for this Olive Garden-inspired recipe.

Be careful not to overcook the chicken, as it can dry out easily. A digital instant-read thermometer is your best friend here. The chicken is done when the thickest part reaches 162°F. Let it rest for 10 minutes, during which the internal temperature will naturally rise to 165°F, ensuring it’s juicy, tender, and perfectly safe to enjoy.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Grill, Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1
Calories: 586cal
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 1202mg
Fat: 41g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Carbohydrates: 6g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 47g
Cholesterol: 174mg