When it comes to weeknight dinners, simplicity and flavor are key. One-pan balsamic chicken checks all the right boxes, delivering a delicious Italian-inspired meal with minimal effort and cleanup.
With tender chicken, a tangy balsamic glaze, and the delightful combination of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, this dish is sure to be a family favorite. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe is approachable, satisfying, and perfect for busy evenings.
Why You’ll Love One-Pan Balsamic Chicken
- Easy Preparation: This recipe uses simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry or fridge.
- Minimal Cleanup: With everything cooked in one skillet, you won’t be left with a pile of dishes to wash.
- Bursting with Flavor: The combination of balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic, and Italian seasoning creates a rich and tangy glaze that pairs beautifully with the juicy chicken and fresh toppings.
- Healthy and Balanced: Packed with lean protein from the chicken, antioxidants from the tomatoes, and calcium from the mozzarella, this dish is as nutritious as it is delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the sauce:
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons oil (avocado or olive oil work best)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
For the tomato mozzarella topping:
- 8 oz. grape tomatoes, halved
- 8 oz. fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine or pearls)
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
For the chicken:
- 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil or other high-heat oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Balsamic Glaze
In a bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, honey, oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper to taste and set aside. This tangy-sweet glaze is the heart of the dish and will coat the chicken beautifully as it bakes.
2. Toss Together the Tomato Mozzarella Mixture
In a separate bowl, combine the halved grape tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and chopped basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. This fresh topping adds a burst of color and flavor that complements the richness of the balsamic glaze. Set aside until ready to use.
3. Preheat Your Oven
Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) so it’s ready to finish cooking the dish after searing the chicken on the stovetop.
4. Sear the Chicken
Heat oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. While the pan heats up, season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chicken in a single layer and sear for 1-2 minutes on each side until lightly golden brown. This step locks in flavor while creating a beautiful crust on the chicken.
5. Add the Balsamic Sauce
Pour the prepared balsamic glaze over the chicken in the skillet. As it simmers, use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan—those bits are packed with flavor!
6. Top with Tomato Mozzarella Mixture
Remove the skillet from heat and evenly spoon the tomato mozzarella mixture over the chicken breasts. The fresh ingredients will begin to meld with the warm balsamic sauce as it bakes.
7. Bake to Perfection
Transfer the skillet to your preheated oven and bake uncovered for 18-23 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F). Once done, remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips for Success
- Pounding the Chicken: Don’t skip this step! Pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures they cook evenly and stay juicy. Place the chicken between two pieces of plastic wrap or inside a Ziploc bag before using a mallet or rolling pin to flatten them.
- Choosing Mozzarella: If you’re using ciliegine mozzarella (cherry-sized balls), cut them in half for better distribution across the dish. If using smaller pearl-sized mozzarella balls, there’s no need to cut them.
- High-Heat Oil: Use an oil with a high smoke point like avocado oil for searing the chicken—it ensures a golden crust without burning.
A Quick Note on Recipe Evolution
This recipe has undergone some tweaks over time to make it even better! The original version used a combination of soy sauce, tomato sauce, and lemon juice to mimic balsamic vinegar’s flavor profile. However, incorporating real balsamic vinegar into the recipe not only simplified it but also enhanced its authenticity and taste.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
- Serving Size: ~6 oz chicken with sauce
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 9.4 g
- Sodium: 530 mg
- Fat: 17.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 11.6 g
- Protein: 40
One Pan Balsamic Chicken Recipe
One-pan balsamic chicken is such a flavorful weeknight dinner. Made with simple ingredients and easy steps!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 Tbsp. honey
- 2 Tbsp. oil, such as 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
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, toss together the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large oven-safe skillet. Season the chicken all over with salt and pepper, to taste. When the pan is hot and oil is shimmering, add the chicken to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes on each side or until lightly golden brown. Add the balsamic sauce mixture. It should quickly come to a simmer. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Immediately remove the pan from the heat and add the tomato mozzarella mixture over the chicken.
- Bake uncovered for 18-23 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked through. Internal temperature should register at 165°F. Remove from the oven and rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Mozzarella: If using ciliegine mozzarella, cut it in half. If using pearls, no need to cut.
- Chicken: To pound the chicken, place it between two pieces of plastic wrap or in a gallon size Ziploc bag, and using a mallet or rolling pin, pound to even thickness. This helps the chicken cook evenly and results in moist meat.
- Original Recipe: This recipe was originally published on 9/28/17 and did not include balsamic vinegar.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 6 oz. chicken with sauce
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 9.4 g
- Sodium: 530.2 mg
- Fat: 17.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12.7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11.6 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 40.3 g
- Cholesterol: 93.5 mg
