Description
Balsamic chicken breast delivers a tangy dinner solution that comes together faster than your favorite weeknight playlist. Marinating chicken in a zesty balsamic mixture creates tender, flavorful meat your whole family will devour in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Seasonings and Flavorings:
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil
Balsamic Glaze:
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
Additional Ingredients:
- 2 medium tomatoes
Instructions
- Prepare your workspace by warming the oven to 400F and coating a baking dish with cooking spray.
- Flatten each chicken breast to an even ½-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
- Sprinkle ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, and 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning across both sides of the chicken.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet at medium-high temperature. Sear chicken for exactly 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Transfer seared chicken to the prepared baking dish in a single layer.
- Combine ½ cup balsamic vinegar and 2 tablespoons honey in a small saucepan. Simmer for 4-5 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar over the chicken breasts.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons brown sugar and 2 minced garlic cloves evenly across the chicken surface.
- Arrange 2 sliced tomatoes on top of the seasoned chicken.
- Spread 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese over the tomatoes.
- Bake at 400F for 20-25 minutes until the chicken internal temperature reaches 165F.
- Remove from oven and drizzle with prepared balsamic glaze.
- Garnish with 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil before serving.
Notes
- Check chicken thickness carefully to ensure even cooking and prevent dry spots.
- Reduce balsamic glaze slowly to develop rich, concentrated flavor without burning.
- Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning to help create a perfect golden sear.
- For a lower-carb version, swap honey with a sugar-free alternative and use less brown sugar.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 308 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 346 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 83 mg