Description
A delicious Italian-inspired dish featuring juicy baked chicken breasts glazed with a tangy balsamic sauce, topped with melted mozzarella cheese and fresh cherry tomatoes. Perfect for an elegant yet simple dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Balsamic Sauce
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Additional Ingredients
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil to prevent the chicken from sticking during baking.
- Season chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides generously with salt and pepper to enhance the flavors.
- Make the balsamic sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup, dried basil, dried oregano, and minced garlic until well combined.
- Sear chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust.
- Assemble in baking dish: Transfer the seared chicken breasts to the prepared baking dish. Pour the balsamic mixture evenly over the chicken and scatter the halved cherry tomatoes around the dish.
- Bake chicken: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken is almost cooked through but still slightly underdone in the center.
- Add mozzarella cheese: Remove the baking dish from the oven, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over each chicken breast, then return to the oven and bake for an additional 5–10 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Garnish and serve: Garnish the finished dish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve the balsamic baked chicken breast warm, accompanied by your favorite sides such as pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables.
Notes
- You can substitute mozzarella cheese with provolone or fontina for different flavors.
- Add crushed red pepper flakes to the balsamic sauce if you prefer a spicy kick.
- Sun-dried tomatoes can be used instead of fresh cherry tomatoes in a pinch.
- This dish pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or roasted veggies for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Keywords: Balsamic chicken, baked chicken breast, mozzarella chicken, Italian chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, balsamic vinegar chicken
