Ingredients
Sauce 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
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 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
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh black pepper, to taste
Chicken and Cooking
- 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, for seasoning
Instructions
- Prepare the balsamic sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, honey, oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set the sauce aside.
- Combine tomato and mozzarella: In a separate bowl, toss together the halved grape tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and finely chopped basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set this mixture aside for later.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to get it ready for baking the chicken and toppings.
- Sear the chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Season the pounded chicken breasts thoroughly with salt and pepper. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, place the chicken in the skillet in a single layer. Cook each side for 1-2 minutes until the chicken is lightly golden brown.
- Add the balsamic glaze: Pour the prepared balsamic sauce over the chicken in the skillet. Allow the sauce to come to a quick simmer. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet, incorporating them into the sauce for deeper flavor.
- Top with tomato and mozzarella: Remove the skillet from the heat immediately. Spread the tomato, mozzarella, and basil mixture evenly over the chicken breasts.
- Bake to finish cooking: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 18-23 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Rest and serve: Once cooked, remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps retain its juices and finish the dish beautifully.
Notes
- To ensure even cooking, pound chicken breasts to an even thickness before cooking.
- Use an oven-safe skillet to transition easily from stovetop searing to oven baking without transferring the chicken.
- If you don’t have fresh basil, dried Italian herbs can be substituted, but fresh herbs offer the best flavor.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee the chicken is safe and perfectly cooked.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a lower-fat version, use less oil or substitute mozzarella with a lower-fat cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Fat