Balsamic Baked Chicken Breast with Mozzarella Cheese Recipe
This Balsamic Baked Chicken Breast with Mozzarella Cheese recipe features tender, juicy chicken breasts seared to perfection and baked with a flavorful balsamic glaze, cherry tomatoes, and melted mozzarella cheese. It offers a delicious combination of savory and tangy flavors, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 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
Additional Ingredients
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Season the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper on both sides to enhance their flavor.
- Prepare the Balsamic Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup, dried basil, dried oregano, and minced garlic until well combined to create a flavorful glaze.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the seared chicken breasts to the prepared baking dish. Pour the balsamic mixture evenly over the chicken, then scatter the halved cherry tomatoes around the chicken in the dish.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is almost fully cooked through.
- Finish Baking: Remove the dish from the oven, evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top of each chicken breast, then return to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired, and serve the chicken warm for a delicious meal.
Notes
- You can substitute the honey with maple syrup for a different flavor profile or to keep the recipe vegan until cheese is added.
- Make sure to check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure it’s safely cooked.
- Feel free to add more herbs like thyme or rosemary for additional aroma.
- If you don’t have cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes or chopped regular tomatoes will work as well.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
Keywords: balsamic chicken, baked chicken breast, mozzarella chicken, Italian chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, balsamic vinegar chicken
