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Balsamic Baked Chicken Breast with Mozzarella

Balsamic chicken breast with mozzarella baked until juicy, then finished with a caramelized balsamic glaze and melted fresh mozzarella. Caprese-inspired with halved cherry tomatoes and fresh basil for an Italian baked chicken dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
marinating 20 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts Pat dry and season evenly.
  • 0.5 tsp salt To taste.
  • 0.5 tsp pepper To taste.
  • 1 tsp garlic powder To taste.
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning To taste.
Balsamic glaze and marinade
  • 0.25 cup balsamic vinegar Used in marinade; reserve some for baking and drizzling.
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced Minced for smoother glaze.
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
Toppings
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced Slice for even melting.
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved Halve for quick bake time.
  • 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves Garnish after baking.
  • 0.5 cup balsamic glaze for drizzling Use reserved marinade or additional balsamic glaze, if desired.

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch oven

Method
 

Marinate the chicken
  1. Whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, garlic, and Dijon mustard, then season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Marinate in the mixture for 20 minutes, and reserve some marinade for baking and drizzling.
Sear and bake
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F, then sear the marinated chicken in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat for 3 minutes per side until golden. Transfer to the oven with the remaining marinade.
  2. Bake for 18-20 minutes at 400°F until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, with the glaze beginning to caramelize around the edges.
Add mozzarella and finish
  1. Remove from the oven and top each breast with mozzarella slices and halved cherry tomatoes, then return to the oven for 4-5 minutes at 400°F until the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
  2. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and garnish with fresh basil leaves for a caprese-inspired finish.

Notes

For best flavor, let the chicken marinate undisturbed for the full 20 minutes; patting the chicken dry before seasoning helps with browning during the sear. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3-4 days; reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through. Freezing is not recommended due to the mozzarella texture. For a lower-sugar option, swap honey for an equal amount of a sugar-free honey-style syrup (or use less honey) while keeping the rest of the balsamic mixture the same.