Balsamic Baked Chicken with Mozzarella (Print View)
Tender chicken in balsamic glaze with melted mozzarella and fresh basil.
# What You Need:
→ Poultry
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each)
→ Marinade & Glaze
02 - 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 2 tablespoons honey
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs or mixed oregano, basil, and thyme
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Toppings
09 - 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
10 - 2 medium tomatoes, sliced
11 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish
12 - 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze (optional, for drizzling)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish large enough to fit the chicken breasts in a single layer.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, garlic, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper until well combined.
03 - Place chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Pour the balsamic marinade over the chicken, turning to coat evenly.
04 - Bake uncovered for 20 minutes.
05 - Remove the baking dish from the oven. Top each chicken breast with tomato slices and mozzarella cheese.
06 - Return to the oven and bake for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
07 - If desired, broil for 2-3 minutes to achieve a golden, bubbly top.
08 - Let rest for 3 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil and drizzle with extra balsamic glaze before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The balsamic glaze creates this incredible caramelized crust that makes people think you spent hours on dinner
- You get that melted mozzarella situation going on which is basically universal happiness in food form
02 -
- Pounding the chicken to even thickness is the difference between perfectly juicy meat and dry disappointing chicken
- Letting it rest for those few minutes before cutting helps the juices redistribute instead of running all over your cutting board
03 -
- A meat thermometer takes all the guesswork out and guarantees perfectly cooked chicken every single time
- Letting the chicken rest before serving is the secret step most people skip but it makes such a difference