Description
A flavorful Italian-inspired baked chicken breast recipe featuring a tangy balsamic glaze, juicy cherry tomatoes, and melted mozzarella cheese, perfect for a comforting and elegant dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 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
Toppings and Garnish
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Season Chicken: Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor.
- Make 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 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 crust.
- Assemble for Baking: Place the seared chicken breasts into the greased baking dish. Pour the prepared balsamic sauce evenly over the chicken. Scatter the halved cherry tomatoes around the chicken breasts in the dish.
- Bake Chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken is almost fully cooked through.
- Add Cheese: Remove the baking dish from the oven and sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over each chicken breast. Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired, then serve warm for a delicious meal.
Notes
- You can substitute mozzarella cheese with provolone or fontina for varied flavor.
- 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 vegetables.
- 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 dinner, chicken with balsamic glaze
