Ingredients
Sauce
- ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 Tbsp. honey
- 2 Tbsp. oil (avocado or olive oil)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
Tomato Mozzarella
- 8 oz. grape tomatoes, halved
- 8 oz. fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine or pearls)
- 2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh basil
Chicken
- 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, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey, oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and Dijon mustard. Season with kosher salt and fresh black pepper to taste. Set aside to let the flavors meld.
- Mix tomato mozzarella topping: In a separate bowl, toss halved grape tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and chopped fresh basil. Season the mixture with kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (204°C) to get it ready for baking the chicken.
- Sear the chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of avocado or high-heat oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Pat the chicken breasts dry and season generously with kosher salt and black pepper. Once the oil is shimmering and hot, add the chicken breasts in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side until lightly golden brown, developing a flavorful crust.
- Add the balsamic sauce: Pour the prepared balsamic sauce into the skillet, and as it starts to simmer, use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, incorporating that flavor into the sauce. Remove the skillet from heat immediately after.
- Top with tomato mozzarella mixture: Spread the tomato, mozzarella, and basil topping evenly over the chicken breasts in the skillet.
- Bake the chicken: Place the skillet uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 18-23 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and an internal thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving to let the juices redistribute. Serve the chicken topped with the melted mozzarella and tomatoes straight from the pan.
Notes
- Pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures they cook evenly.
- You can substitute fresh mozzarella with shredded mozzarella if fresh is unavailable.
- Use a large oven-safe skillet (like cast iron or stainless steel) to allow seamless transfer from stovetop to oven.
- For an extra touch, garnish with additional fresh basil or a drizzle of balsamic glaze before serving.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian