Go Back

Balsamic Baked Chicken Breast with Mozzarella

Balsamic chicken breast with mozzarella: juicy baked chicken draped in a caramelized balsamic glaze and finished with melted fresh mozzarella. A caprese-inspired topping of cherry tomatoes and fresh basil makes this mozzarella chicken bake feel restaurant-style.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
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 and seasoning
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 0.5 tsp salt to taste
  • 0.5 tsp pepper to taste
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder to taste
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning to taste
Balsamic glaze marinade
  • 0.25 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 0.5 tbsp balsamic glaze for drizzling reserve some for drizzling
Caprese topping
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 0.5 fresh basil leaves for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Marinate the chicken
  1. Whisk balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, minced garlic, and Dijon mustard until smooth, then season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Add the chicken to the mixture and marinate for 20 minutes in the refrigerator, reserving a portion of the marinade.
Sear and bake
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and sear the marinated chicken for 3 minutes per side until golden.
  2. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, using the reserved marinade, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Melt mozzarella and finish
  1. Remove the chicken from the oven and top each breast with mozzarella slices and halved cherry tomatoes. Return to the oven for 4-5 minutes at 400°F until the cheese is melted and beginning to turn golden at the edges.
  2. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and garnish with fresh basil leaves for a caprese-inspired finish.

Notes

Pro tip: marinate chilled for 20 minutes so the surface seasons evenly, then bake using the reserved marinade for a sticky glaze. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through. Freezing is not recommended because the mozzarella texture can turn grainy. For a lighter swap, use reduced-fat mozzarella and keep the honey to the stated amount for a similar balsamic sheen.