Balsamic Glazed One Pan Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes and Mozzarella Recipe
This Balsamic Glazed One Pan Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish combining tender, golden-browned chicken breasts with a rich balsamic honey glaze, fresh grape tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and aromatic basil. Cooked in a single oven-safe skillet, it delivers a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors, making it a convenient and impressive meal for any night of the week.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Sauce
- 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
Tomato-Mozzarella Mixture
- 8 oz. grape tomatoes, halved
- 8 oz. fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine or pearls)
- 2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh basil
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
- 2 Tbsp. avocado oil or other high-heat oil
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, honey, oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and Dijon mustard. Season with kosher salt and fresh black pepper to taste, then set aside.
- Prepare the Tomato-Mozzarella Mixture: In another bowl, combine the halved grape tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and finely chopped fresh basil. Season with salt and pepper to your liking. Set this mixture aside as well.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius) to prepare for finishing the chicken in the oven.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the avocado or high-heat oil over medium-high heat in a large oven-safe skillet. Season the pounded chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. When the oil is hot and shimmering, place the chicken in the skillet in a single layer. Sear for 1-2 minutes on each side until the chicken is lightly golden brown. Pour the prepared balsamic sauce over the chicken and bring it to a simmer. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the pan bottom to enhance flavor.
- Add Tomato-Mozzarella Topping: Remove the skillet from heat immediately after the sauce simmers. Spread the tomato and mozzarella mixture evenly over the chicken breasts in the skillet.
- Bake to Finish Cooking: Place the skillet uncovered into the preheated oven. Bake for 18-23 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.
Notes
- To ensure even cooking, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before cooking.
- You can substitute fresh mozzarella balls with sliced mozzarella if unavailable.
- If you don't have an oven-safe skillet, transfer everything to a baking dish after searing the chicken on the stovetop.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Serve over pasta, rice, or alongside steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
