There’s nothing like Grilled California Hen at a summer time barbecue! We used the BEST rooster marinade for the rooster, giving it a ton of taste.
Prime them with juicy tomatoes, contemporary mozzarella, creamy avocado, onions, and greens for an irresistibly contemporary style everybody will rave about.
This time of 12 months, all I need is to be outdoors, absorbing the sunshine and having fun with good meals with family and friends. Grilling is at all times on the menu… and one among my absolute favourite issues to grill is California Hen! It’s easy, delish, and tastes like summer time on a plate.
All it takes to make this grilled California rooster is a simple marinade adopted by a fast journey to the grill. Whereas the rooster is cooking, prep your toppings after which assemble every little thing collectively for one wonderful dish.
What’s In Grilled California Hen
- Balsamic vinegar: The bottom of our balsamic marinade, this provides a tangy and barely candy taste to the rooster.
- Dijon mustard: This ingredient helps to emulsify the marinade, making it keep on with the rooster and infuse it with taste.
- Honey: Provides a contact of sweetness to the marinade, balancing out the tanginess of the vinegar.
- Italian seasoning: A traditional seasoning mix for a pop of taste within the marinade.
- Contemporary lemon juice: Provides a vivid, citrusy taste to the marinade.
- Hen breast: Ensure you get rooster breasts which can be comparatively the identical measurement.
- Contemporary mozzarella: We put a thick slice of mozzarella cheese on our rooster to offer it a creamy, tacky taste.
- Roma tomatoes: Use ripe Roma tomatoes for the most effective taste and texture.
- Avocado: Creamy and scrumptious, avocado is a should on grilled California rooster!
- Contemporary basil leaves: So as to add a burst of freshness to the dish, we prime it off with some contemporary basil leaves.
- Purple onion: Sliced thinly, purple onion provides a slight crunch and a pop of coloration to the dish.
- Microgreens: These tiny, flavorful greens are non-compulsory however add a pleasant contact to the general presentation and style of the dish. They’re additionally extremely nutritious!

Don’t have mozzarella?
Change up the kind of cheese and use one other melty cheese like provolone or cheddar. You can too add some cooked bacon for a smoky twist.
Don’t have balsamic?
Use purple wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar as a substitute.
Suggestions for the BEST Grilled California Hen
Hen breasts can differ by measurement and weight. To make sure even cooking, pound the rooster breasts to an excellent thickness earlier than marinating.
To forestall sticking, make sure that your grill is well-oiled earlier than including the rooster. You can too use a non-stick cooking spray on the rooster itself.
You’ve plenty of management over what number of contemporary toppings go in your rooster breasts. If you happen to’re making an attempt to maintain it on the more healthy facet, use a lightweight hand with the toppings. However if you happen to’re all about that loaded rooster life (identical), go loopy and pile them excessive!


Don’t have a grill? Listed below are the oven instructions:
Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Place a grill pan or forged iron skillet into the oven, and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Let the pan warmth for 5 minutes.
Add the rooster to the skillet and prepare dinner the rooster for 8 minutes on the primary facet. Flip the rooster and place 2-3 slices of tomato on prime, adopted by mozzarella slices.
Cook dinner the rooster for a further 6-8 minutes or till the inner temperature of the rooster is 165ºF. Take away the rooster from the grill and let it relaxation for 5 minutes. Prime the rooster with contemporary avocado, basil, and micro greens. Serve instantly.


Learn how to Retailer
For optimum freshness, retailer the rooster and its toppings individually. You may preserve the grilled rooster in an hermetic container for as much as 4 days within the fridge. Retailer the toppings individually in small containers or luggage and add them when able to eat.
If you happen to’re planning on meal-prepping this dish, wait till you’re able to serve earlier than including the avocado and micro greens. These components are finest when added contemporary.
What to Serve with Grilled California Hen
Take your summer time BBQ to the highest by serving this Grilled California Hen with a wide range of sides. Listed below are some choices:
Electronic mail Me this Recipe
Share your e-mail, and we’ll ship it straight to your inbox. Plus, take pleasure in weekly doses of recipe inspiration as a bonus!
“*” signifies required fields

Grilled California Hen Recipe
This grilled California rooster is a flavorful summer time meal that includes completely marinated rooster breasts topped with juicy tomatoes, contemporary mozzarella, and wholesome greens.
Prep:45 minutes
Cook dinner:16 minutes
Elements
Different Elements
- 1.5 lbs. rooster breast 3-4 breasts
- 8 oz. contemporary mozzarella sliced
- 3-4 Roma tomatoes sliced
- 1 giant avocado sliced
- 4-5 contemporary basil leaves julienned
- ¼ medium purple onion thinly sliced
- 2-3 tablespoons micro greens
- ½ teaspoon flakey sea salt
Directions
-
Add the entire components for the marinade to a bowl and whisk till mixed. Put aside.
-
Place the rooster breasts on a slicing board and canopy them with plastic wrap. Pound the rooster with a meat tenderizer till they’re the identical thickness, about 1.5-2 inches thick.
-
Switch the rooster to a pan or a gallon-sized bag and pour the marinade over the rooster. Therapeutic massage the marinade into the rooster and refrigerate for a minimum of half-hour or longer for extra flavorful rooster.
-
Take away the rooster from the fridge and let it relaxation at room temperature for 10 minutes. Preheat the grill to 425ºF.
-
Switch to the grill and prepare dinner the rooster for 8 minutes on the primary facet. Flip the rooster and place 2-3 slices of tomato on prime, adopted by mozzarella slices. Grill the rooster for a further 6-8 minutes or till the inner temperature of the rooster is 165ºF.
-
Take away the rooster from the grill and let it relaxation for five minutes.
-
Prime the rooster with contemporary avocado, basil, onion, micro greens, and flakey salt. Serve instantly.
Suggestions & Notes
- Hen breasts can differ by measurement and weight.
- You’ve plenty of management over how a lot of the contemporary toppings go on prime of every rooster breast.
- Oven Instructions: Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Place a grill pan or forged iron skillet into the oven, and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Let the pan warmth for five minutes. Add the rooster to the skillet and prepare dinner the rooster for 8 minutes on the primary facet. Flip the rooster and place 2-3 slices of tomato on prime, adopted by mozzarella slices. Cook dinner the rooster for a further 6-8 minutes or till the inner temperature of the rooster is 165ºF. Take away the rooster from the grill and let it relaxation for five minutes. Prime the rooster with contemporary avocado, basil, and micro greens. Serve instantly.