Ingredients
Vegetables and Herbs
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Chopped fresh basil, for garnish
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon dried basil (plus additional for tomatoes and chicken)
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
Other
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon sweetener (such as 1 Stevia packet or granulated sugar)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425˚F to ensure it’s ready for baking the chicken and vegetables evenly.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare Vegetable Base: Arrange the halved cherry tomatoes and thinly sliced red onion in the bottom of the baking dish. Season them with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and dried basil. Stir gently to combine, then set aside.
- Season Chicken: Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken breasts, then season them with salt, pepper, dried basil, and oregano for a flavorful base.
- Rub Garlic onto Chicken: Take the minced garlic and rub it with your fingers over each chicken breast, working the seasoning in thoroughly to enhance the flavor.
- Arrange Chicken in Dish: Place the seasoned chicken breasts on top of the prepared tomatoes and onions in the baking dish, ensuring the chicken is evenly spaced.
- Make Balsamic Glaze: In a small bowl, combine the balsamic vinegar and the sweetener. Whisk until everything is well incorporated to create a balanced sweet and tangy glaze.
- Apply Glaze: Drizzle the balsamic glaze over the chicken and vegetables. Flip the chicken breasts carefully to coat them on all sides with the glaze for maximum flavor.
- Bake Chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 23 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165˚F). Cooking time may vary slightly depending on thickness.
- Add Cheese: Remove the baking dish from the oven and evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over each chicken breast.
- Melt Cheese: Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest: Remove from oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute and flavors to meld.
- Serve: Drizzle any pan sauce remaining over the chicken, garnish with chopped fresh basil, and serve immediately for a delicious meal.
Notes
- Adjust seasoning according to your taste preferences, especially the amount of dried basil and oregano.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is perfectly cooked to a safe 165˚F internal temperature.
- For a sweeter balsamic glaze, increase the sweetener slightly or substitute with honey or maple syrup.
- This recipe pairs well with a side of steamed vegetables, a fresh green salad, or crusty bread.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven to maintain texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free
