Description
Balsamic chicken brings delightful simplicity to your dinner table, promising a quick and tasty meal that comes together faster than you can set the table. Crispy chicken thighs simmered in a tangy balsamic glaze make weeknight cooking a total breeze.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- Kosher salt
- Fresh black pepper
Sauce:
- ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Tomato Mozzarella:
- 8 oz grape tomatoes
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella balls
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil
Instructions
- Grab a large mixing bowl and combine balsamic vinegar, honey, oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and Dijon mustard. Whisk the ingredients until smoothly blended. Season with salt and pepper to your preference.
- In another bowl, gently mix halved grape tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and chopped basil. Season with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
- Warm your oven to exactly 400 degrees F, preparing for the upcoming roasting.
- Select a large oven-safe skillet and pour 2 Tbsp avocado oil across the surface. Heat the pan over medium-high temperature until the oil becomes shimmery.
- Season the 2 lb chicken breasts generously with kosher salt and fresh black pepper on all sides.
- Carefully place the seasoned chicken into the hot skillet, ensuring each piece touches the pan surface. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side until a light golden-brown crust develops.
- Pour the prepared balsamic sauce directly into the skillet. Watch as the sauce quickly starts to simmer and bubble around the chicken.
- Use a wooden spoon to scrape the delicious brown bits clinging to the bottom of the pan, incorporating them into the sauce.
- Immediately remove the skillet from the stovetop heat. Scatter the tomato and mozzarella mixture evenly over the chicken.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated 400 degree F oven. Bake uncovered for 18-23 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- After removing from the oven, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving, allowing the juices to redistribute.
Notes
- Choose a heavy, oven-safe skillet that conducts heat evenly for the best golden-brown chicken sear.
- Pat chicken breasts completely dry with paper towels before seasoning to ensure a crisp, golden exterior.
- Let the chicken rest after baking to help redistribute juices and keep the meat tender and moist.
- Swap fresh mozzarella for a dairy-free alternative like nutritional yeast or vegan cheese to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 399 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 154 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 48 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg