Description
This Balsamic Glazed One Pan Chicken is a simple yet flavorful dish featuring juicy chicken breasts cooked in a tangy balsamic and honey glaze, topped with fresh grape tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Prepared entirely in one oven-safe skillet, this recipe offers a delightful combination of savory and sweet with a fresh Italian twist, perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons oil (such as avocado or olive oil)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Kosher salt and fresh black pepper, to taste
Tomato and Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces grape tomatoes, halved
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine or pearls)
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
- Kosher salt and fresh black pepper, to taste
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil or other high-heat oil
- Kosher salt and 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 black pepper to taste. Set aside.
- Mix Tomatoes and Mozzarella: In a separate bowl, combine the halved grape tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and finely chopped basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius) to ensure it’s ready for baking the chicken later.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of avocado oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. When the oil is shimmering and the pan hot, add the chicken in a single layer. Sear each side for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden brown. Then pour the prepared balsamic sauce over the chicken, allowing it to come to a quick simmer. Use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the pan to incorporate flavor.
- Add Tomato and Cheese Mixture: Remove the skillet from heat and evenly spread the tomato and mozzarella mixture over the top of the chicken breasts.
- Bake the Chicken: Place the skillet uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 18-23 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to redistribute juices and enhance flavor.
Notes
- Use an oven-safe skillet such as cast iron or stainless steel to go from stove to oven seamlessly.
- If you don’t have fresh mozzarella balls, you can chop a larger ball into bite-sized pieces.
- Adjust the honey and balsamic vinegar ratio to taste for a sweeter or more tangy glaze.
- Make sure chicken breasts are pounded to even thickness for uniform cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: balsamic glazed chicken, one pan chicken, balsamic vinegar chicken, easy chicken dinner, chicken with mozzarella and tomatoes, Italian chicken recipe
