Balsamic Glazed One Pan Chicken with Tomatoes and Mozzarella Recipe
Introduction
This Balsamic Glazed One Pan Chicken is a flavorful and easy meal perfect for busy weeknights. Juicy chicken breasts are cooked in a tangy balsamic sauce, topped with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil for a deliciously vibrant finish.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 Tbsp. honey
- 2 Tbsp. oil, such as avocado or olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 8 oz. grape tomatoes, halved
- 8 oz. fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine or pearls)
- 2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh basil
- 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
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, honey, 2 tablespoons oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and Dijon mustard. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, toss the halved grape tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and chopped fresh basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.
- Step 3: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Step 4: Heat 2 tablespoons of avocado oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts on all sides with salt and pepper. When the oil is shimmering, add the chicken in a single layer. Cook for 1–2 minutes on each side until lightly golden brown. Pour in the prepared balsamic sauce and bring to a simmer, scraping up any brown bits from the pan with a wooden spoon.
- Step 5: Remove the skillet from heat and evenly spread the tomato and mozzarella mixture over the chicken breasts.
- Step 6: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 18–23 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked through and registers 165°F (74°C) on a meat thermometer. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the balsamic mixture for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Swap the fresh mozzarella for feta cheese for a tangier twist.
- Serve with crusty bread or over a bed of cooked pasta to soak up the delicious sauce.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the cooked chicken and sauce to a baking dish before adding the tomato and mozzarella mixture.
Storage
Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through, being careful not to overcook the chicken.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well and may add extra juiciness. Adjust the cooking time slightly, as thighs generally take a bit longer to cook through.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?
You can prepare the sauce and tomato mixture in advance. For best results, assemble and bake the chicken just before serving to keep the fresh flavors and textures.
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Balsamic Glazed One Pan Chicken with Tomatoes and Mozzarella Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Balsamic Glazed One Pan Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring tender chicken breasts glazed with a tangy balsamic and honey sauce, baked with juicy grape tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. It’s a perfect weeknight meal that combines vibrant Italian-inspired flavors in one skillet for minimal cleanup and maximum taste.
Ingredients
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
- Salt and 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 Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey, oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
- Make Tomato and Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, combine halved grape tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and chopped basil. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) to get ready for baking.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts all over with salt and pepper. When the oil is shimmering and hot, add the chicken in a single layer. Cook each side for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden brown.
- Add Sauce and Simmer: Pour the prepared balsamic sauce over the chicken in the skillet. It should come to a quick simmer. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to incorporate into the sauce.
- Add Tomato and Cheese Mixture: Remove the skillet from heat immediately. Spread the tomato and mozzarella mixture evenly over the chicken in the skillet.
- Bake: Place the skillet uncovered in the preheated oven. Bake for 18-23 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is cooked through.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.
Notes
- Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness to ensure even cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness, aiming for 165°F internal temperature.
- Fresh mozzarella can be replaced with shredded mozzarella if preferred.
- For extra flavor, garnish with additional fresh basil before serving.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the chicken and sauce to a baking dish before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: balsamic glazed chicken, one pan chicken, easy chicken recipe, balsamic chicken, chicken with mozzarella and tomatoes
