One Pan Balsamic Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes and Mozzarella Recipe
A flavorful and easy one-pan balsamic chicken recipe featuring tender chicken breasts cooked with a tangy balsamic sauce, juicy grape tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and aromatic basil. This dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, combining savory, sweet, and fresh flavors in a simple oven-baked meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 2 Tbsp oil (avocado or olive oil)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- Kosher salt and fresh black pepper, to taste
Tomato and Cheese Mixture
- 8 oz grape tomatoes, halved
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine or pearls)
- 2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh basil
- Kosher salt and fresh black pepper, to taste
Chicken
- 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
- 2 Tbsp avocado oil or other high-heat oil
- Kosher salt and fresh black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Balsamic Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey, oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and Dijon mustard. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Set the sauce mixture aside.
- Prepare the Tomato and Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, combine halved grape tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and finely chopped fresh basil. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper as desired. Set aside.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to get it ready for baking the chicken.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat in a large oven-safe skillet until shimmering. Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Place the chicken in the skillet in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until they develop a light golden brown crust.
- Add Balsamic Sauce and Simmer: Pour the prepared balsamic sauce over the seared chicken in the skillet. The sauce should come to a quick simmer. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan, incorporating them into the sauce for extra flavor. Remove the skillet from heat immediately after.
- Top with Tomato and Mozzarella: Evenly distribute the tomato and mozzarella mixture over the chicken breasts in the skillet.
- Bake the Chicken: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 18-23 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to retain juicy tenderness and allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- For best results, pound the chicken breasts to even thickness to ensure uniform cooking.
- You can substitute grape tomatoes with cherry tomatoes if needed.
- If you do not have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the chicken and sauce to a baking dish before baking.
- Check chicken temperature with an instant-read thermometer to guarantee it is fully cooked.
- This dish pairs well with a simple side salad or roasted vegetables.
Keywords: balsamic chicken, one pan chicken recipe, mozzarella and tomato chicken, easy baked chicken, Italian chicken dinner, healthy chicken recipe
