If you’ve ever savored the incredible grilled Olive Garden Margarita Chicken Recipe, you know it’s pure Italian perfection on a plate.
This copycat Olive Garden margarita chicken brings that restaurant magic straight to your kitchen with tender, marinated chicken breasts topped with melted mozzarella, fresh basil pesto, and juicy tomatoes, all finished with a luxurious lemon butter sauce.
Whether you’re craving a weeknight dinner that feels special or planning a romantic meal, this Olive Garden chicken margherita recipe delivers authentic flavors without the wait or the price tag. Best of all, it’s surprisingly simple to make!
What Does Olive Garden Margarita Chicken Taste Like?
This dish is a symphony of Italian flavors that dance on your palate. The Olive Garden margarita chicken features juicy, tender chicken infused with zesty Italian herbs from the marinade, creating a savory foundation.
Creamy, melted mozzarella cheese adds richness, while aromatic basil pesto brings herbaceous brightness with hints of garlic and pine nuts.
Sweet-tart grape tomatoes burst with freshness, and the silky lemon butter sauce ties everything together with citrusy elegance and buttery decadence. Each bite combines savory, tangy, and slightly sweet notes-it’s comfort food elevated to restaurant-quality sophistication.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Main Ingredients:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 4 small chicken breasts)
- 1 cup Olive Garden Italian Dressing (or your favorite Italian dressing)
- 8 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, sliced in half (cherry or regular tomatoes work too)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Garnishes:
- Fresh basil leaves
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Extra pesto
Essential Kitchen Utensils:
- Gallon-sized zip-top bag (for marinating)
- Meat mallet or rolling pin (for pounding chicken)
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Rectangular baking dish
- Instant-read thermometer
- Small saucepan or skillet (for lemon butter sauce)
- Whisk
- Parchment paper or plastic wrap
Preparation and Cooking Time
Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus overnight marinating)
Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Total Time: 30-35 minutes (active cooking)
Servings: 4 people
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
How to Make Copycat Olive Garden Margarita Chicken
Step 1: Prepare and Marinate the Chicken
Preheat your oven to broil on high setting. If using large chicken breasts, place them between two sheets of parchment paper or in a ziplock bag and pound them with a meat mallet until evenly flattened to about 1/2-inch thickness. This ensures even cooking. Slice each flattened breast in half horizontally to create thinner cutlets. If using small chicken breasts, skip the pounding step. Place all chicken pieces into a gallon-sized zip-top bag, add 1 cup of Italian dressing, seal, and massage to coat. Refrigerate overnight (or at least 4 hours minimum) for maximum flavor infusion.
Step 2: Prepare Pesto (If Making from Scratch)
If you’re making homemade basil pesto, prepare it the night before and store in the refrigerator. This allows flavors to meld beautifully. Store-bought pesto works wonderfully too and saves time.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Cook chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 145-150°F on an instant-read thermometer. The chicken will finish cooking under the broiler, so don’t overcook at this stage. Air Fryer Option: Place marinated chicken in air fryer basket and cook at 360°F for 9 minutes.
Step 4: Assemble for Broiling
Spray a rectangular baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Transfer cooked chicken to the dish. Top each piece with 2 slices of fresh mozzarella cheese, then add 1 tablespoon of basil pesto on top of the cheese. Arrange halved grape tomatoes around the chicken in the dish. Lightly drizzle tomatoes with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Step 5: Broil Until Golden
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven on the top rack. Broil for 3-5 minutes, watching closely, until the mozzarella melts and begins to turn golden brown with bubbly, slightly charred spots. Broiler temperatures vary significantly, so monitor carefully to prevent burning.
Step 6: Make the Lemon Butter Sauce
While chicken broils, prepare the signature lemon butter sauce. In a small skillet over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Add 1 tablespoon minced garlic and juice from half a lemon. Whisk together and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and thoroughly heated. Reduce heat to low and keep warm until serving.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Remove the baking dish from the oven once cheese is perfectly melted. Plate each chicken breast with roasted tomatoes, generously drizzle with warm lemon butter sauce, and garnish with extra pesto, fresh basil leaves, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Customization and Pairing Ideas for Your Olive Garden Chicken Margherita
1. Protein Variations: Transform this recipe by using chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful meat, or try it with turkey cutlets for a leaner option. Vegetarians can substitute with thick slices of grilled eggplant or portobello mushrooms for a meatless margherita experience.
2. Cheese Alternatives: While fresh mozzarella is traditional, experiment with burrata for extra creaminess, provolone for sharper flavor, or a blend of mozzarella and fontina for depth. Dairy-free? Use cashew-based mozzarella alternatives.
3. Pesto Upgrades: Beyond traditional basil pesto, try sun-dried tomato pesto for sweetness, arugula pesto for peppery notes, or spinach-walnut pesto for earthiness. Mix pesto with cream cheese for an extra-rich spread.
4. Pasta Pairings: Serve your copycat Olive Garden margarita chicken over angel hair pasta, fettuccine, or penne tossed in the lemon butter sauce. Add reserved pasta water to create a silky coating that clings to every strand.
5. Vegetable Sides: Complement with roasted asparagus, garlic green beans, Caesar salad, or caprese salad for a complete Italian feast. Grilled zucchini and bell peppers add colorful Mediterranean flair.
6. Carb Options: Pair with garlic bread, creamy polenta, cauliflower rice for low-carb dining, or Italian risotto. Crusty ciabatta is perfect for soaking up that incredible lemon butter sauce.
7. Wine Pairings: Elevate your dinner with a crisp Pinot Grigio, light Chianti, or Sauvignon Blanc. The wine’s acidity cuts through the richness while complementing the fresh tomato and basil flavors beautifully.
Expert Tips for Perfect Olive Garden Margarita Chicken Every Time
1. Marinate Overnight for Maximum Flavor: Don’t rush the marinade! Italian dressing contains acids and oils that tenderize the chicken while infusing deep flavor. Overnight marinating (8-12 hours) produces restaurant-quality results. In a pinch, marinate for at least 4 hours, but longer is always better.
2. Pound Chicken to Even Thickness: Unevenly thick chicken breasts cook unevenly, leading to dry edges and undercooked centers. Pounding to uniform 1/2-inch thickness ensures every bite cooks perfectly. This also reduces cooking time and helps prevent overcooking.
3. Don’t Overcook Before Broiling: Since the chicken finishes cooking under the broiler, pull it from the skillet at 145-150°F internal temperature. It will reach the safe 165°F during broiling. Overcooking twice guarantees dry, rubbery chicken.
4. Use Fresh Mozzarella, Not Shredded: Fresh mozzarella slices melt into creamy, luxurious pools, while pre-shredded mozzarella contains anti-caking agents that prevent proper melting and create a grainy texture. Splurge on fresh for authentic Olive Garden chicken margherita results.
5. Watch the Broiler Constantly: Broilers are powerful and unpredictable. What takes 5 minutes in one oven might take 2 in another. Stay by the oven and check every minute after the 2-minute mark to prevent burning. You want golden, bubbly cheese-not blackened.
6. Add Garlic to Butter Carefully: Raw garlic can burn quickly and turn bitter. When making lemon butter sauce, use medium heat and cook garlic just until fragrant (60-90 seconds). If it starts browning, reduce heat immediately.
7. Let Chicken Rest Before Serving: After broiling, let the chicken rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. This allows juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring every bite is moist and tender rather than losing precious juices on the cutting board.
Storage and Reheating Guidance
Store leftover Olive Garden margarita chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes or microwave on 50% power to prevent drying out. The lemon butter sauce can be refrigerated separately and rewarmed on the stovetop.
Common Queries and FAQs About Olive Garden Margarita Chicken
Here are some common questions I’ve got you covered about this recipe
Q: What are the Olive Garden margarita chicken nutrition facts?
A: One serving of this copycat recipe contains approximately 450-500 calories, 28g protein, 32g fat, and 8g carbohydrates. The restaurant version has similar macros. Using light Italian dressing and less cheese can reduce calories by 100-150 per serving.
Q: Can I make this recipe without marinating overnight?
A: Yes, though flavor won’t be as deep. Marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or use a vacuum sealer to speed up marinade penetration. You can also inject marinade directly into the chicken for faster flavor infusion.
Q: What’s the difference between margarita and margherita chicken?
A: “Margherita” (Italian spelling) refers to the classic Italian flavor combination of tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil-named after Queen Margherita. “Margarita” with an ‘a’ technically refers to the cocktail, but the terms are often used interchangeably in American restaurants.
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
A: Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully and stay even more moist. Adjust cooking time to 5-6 minutes per side since thighs are thicker and fattier.
Q: Is Olive Garden Italian dressing necessary, or can I substitute?
A: Any quality Italian dressing works-Olive Garden brand just ensures authentic copycat flavor. Make your own by whisking together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, Italian herbs, and Parmesan.
Q: How do I prevent the chicken from drying out?
A: Use an instant-read thermometer, don’t overcook before broiling, and let it rest after cooking. Brining chicken in salt water for 1 hour before marinating also helps retain moisture.
Q: Can I prep this Olive Garden Margarita Chicken recipe in advance?
A: Yes! Marinate chicken up to 24 hours ahead, prep pesto, and slice tomatoes. Store components separately. When ready to serve, just cook the chicken and assemble-dinner in 20 minutes.
Q: What if I don’t have a broiler?
A: Bake at 425°F for 5-7 minutes until cheese melts, or finish in the skillet by covering with a lid for 2-3 minutes on low heat until cheese melts.
This copycat Olive Garden margarita chicken recipe proves you don’t need a reservation to enjoy restaurant-quality Italian cuisine.
With simple ingredients, a little advance planning for the marinade, and easy cooking techniques, you’ll create a dish that rivals-and maybe even surpasses-the original grilled chicken margherita Olive Garden serves.
The combination of tender, herb-infused chicken, melted mozzarella, aromatic pesto, and that irresistible lemon butter sauce makes this a dinner winner every single time. Try it tonight and bring Olive Garden home!
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