1-First Step: Mix the marinade In a medium bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 1/4 cup honey, 3 cloves minced garlic, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Whisk until the honey is fully blended and the mixture looks smooth. This marinade gives the chicken its sweet, savory flavor and also helps it stay juicy on the grill.

2-Second Step: Marinate the chicken Add the 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts to the bowl and coat them well in the marinade. Let them sit for 30 minutes. If you have extra time, you can marinate them a little longer in the fridge, but even a short soak gives you great flavor. Turn the chicken once or twice during marinating so every piece gets well coated.

3-Third Step: Make the avocado topping While the chicken marinates, mix the topping in another bowl. Combine the 2 diced avocados, 3 diced roma tomatoes, and 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir gently so the avocado stays chunky instead of turning mushy. Set the bowl aside so the flavors can mingle while the chicken cooks.

4-Fourth Step: Preheat and prep the grill Heat your grill to medium-high heat. Before cooking, clean the grill grates and oil them lightly so the chicken does not stick. This is a simple step, but it makes a big difference when you are grilling lean chicken breasts. If your grill has hot spots, set up one cooler area for indirect heat so you can move the chicken if needed.

5-Fifth Step: Grill the chicken Place the marinated chicken on the grill and cook for about 6 minutes per side. If your chicken breasts are thin, they may cook a little faster. If they are thicker, they may need a bit more time. Keep the lid closed as much as possible so the heat stays even and the chicken cooks through without drying out.

6-Sixth Step: Add the cheese and topping Once the chicken is cooked through, top each piece with 1 slice mozzarella cheese. Let it melt for a minute or two on the grill. Then spoon the avocado tomato basil mixture over the top. The warm chicken softens the cheese slightly and brings out the freshness of the topping.

7-Final Step: Finish and serve immediately If you want a little more tang, drizzle the chicken with optional balsamic vinegar right before serving. Serve it hot so the cheese stays melty and the avocado topping tastes bright and fresh. This grilled California avocado chicken pairs nicely with rice, salad, roasted potatoes, or grilled vegetables.