Description
A quick and delicious recipe for Balsamic Baked Chicken Breast topped with mozzarella cheese and fresh cherry tomatoes, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil.
- Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup, dried basil, dried oregano, and minced garlic to create the balsamic sauce.
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for about 2–3 minutes on each side until it’s golden brown.
- Transfer the chicken to the prepared baking dish. Pour the balsamic mixture over the chicken, then scatter the halved cherry tomatoes around.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken is nearly cooked through.
- Remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over each chicken breast. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5–10 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
For the juiciest chicken, try to avoid overcooking. Marinating the chicken in the balsamic mixture for a few hours can enhance the flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg