Balsamic Baked Chicken Breast with Mozzarella
A flavorful and convenient dish that combines balsamic vinegar, mozzarella cheese, and juicy chicken breasts, perfect for any dinner occasion.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil For greasing the baking dish and searing
For the Balsamic Sauce
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup Use maple syrup for a vegan option
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
For Baking
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil.
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
- In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup, basil, oregano, and minced garlic to create the balsamic sauce.
Cooking
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 2–3 minutes per side until golden.
- Place chicken in prepared baking dish. Pour the balsamic mixture over chicken. Scatter halved cherry tomatoes around the chicken.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until chicken is almost cooked through.
- Remove dish from oven, sprinkle mozzarella over each breast. Return to oven and bake for 5–10 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and chicken is cooked to 165°F.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
For customized flavors, consider using chicken thighs, or substitute balsamic vinegar with red wine vinegar. Let chicken rest after baking to ensure tenderness.