Description
Balsamic Baked Chicken Breast with Mozzarella Cheese brings Mediterranean comfort straight to your dinner table. Juicy chicken gets topped with melty cheese and tangy balsamic glaze, creating a simple yet delicious meal that feels like a restaurant-quality experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Dairy:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Seasonings and Liquids:
- ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil (optional)
- Cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Thoroughly dry 4 chicken breasts using paper towels, ensuring no excess moisture remains.
- Massage 1 tablespoon olive oil across the chicken, coating each breast completely. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, salt, and pepper evenly.
- Combine ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, and 1 minced garlic clove in a small bowl. Whisk until ingredients blend smoothly.
- Transfer chicken to a baking dish. Pour the balsamic mixture over each breast, ensuring total coverage. Optional: Scatter halved cherry tomatoes around the chicken.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven. Roast for 20-25 minutes until chicken internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Remove the dish from the oven. Distribute 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese across the chicken breasts.
- Return to the oven for 5 additional minutes, allowing cheese to melt completely and become golden.
- Remove from oven and let chicken rest for 5 minutes. This helps redistribute juices and maintains tenderness.
- Drizzle remaining balsamic glaze from the baking dish over each chicken breast. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
Notes
- Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness so they cook uniformly and stay tender throughout.
- Let chicken marinate in balsamic mixture for at least 30 minutes to enhance flavor penetration and moisture.
- Select a high-quality balsamic vinegar with a rich, slightly sweet profile for the most robust taste.
- When adding mozzarella, watch carefully to prevent burning and achieve a perfectly melted, golden-brown cheese topping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 315 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 310 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg