Description
A delicious and easy-to-prepare dish marrying the flavors of balsamic vinegar and melted mozzarella, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
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). 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, oregano, and minced garlic to create the sauce.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a golden crust.
- Arrange the chicken in your prepared baking dish, and pour the balsamic mixture over them. Scatter the halved cherry tomatoes around the chicken for an extra touch of flavor.
- Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is nearly cooked through.
- Remove from the oven, sprinkle mozzarella cheese over each breast, and return to bake for another 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
To ensure the perfect chicken, monitor the internal temperature carefully and avoid overcooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg