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Balsamic Baked Chicken Breast with Mozzarella

Balsamic chicken breast with mozzarella baked until juicy, then finished with a caramelized balsamic glaze and melted cheese. This caprese-inspired mozzarella chicken bake uses a quick marinade and oven bake for an Italian baked chicken dinner.
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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
  

boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
seasonings
  • 0.25 tsp Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to taste Use a mix to season both sides.
balsamic marinade
  • 0.25 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 3 garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
topping
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 0.25 Fresh basil leaves for garnish
  • 0.25 cup Balsamic glaze for drizzling Add extra drizzle to finish, as desired.

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Make the marinade and marinate
  1. Whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, garlic, and Dijon mustard until smooth and glossy. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to taste, then add to the marinade for 20 minutes in the refrigerator (reserve some marinade for baking).
Sear and bake
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F while you bring an oven-safe skillet to heat over medium-high. Sear the marinated chicken in the skillet for 3 minutes per side until golden.
  2. Transfer the skillet (with the chicken) to the oven, using the reserved marinade over the breasts if needed. Bake for 18-20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Add mozzarella and finish
  1. Remove from the oven and top each chicken breast with mozzarella slices and cherry tomatoes. Return to the oven for 4-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and just beginning to turn lightly golden.
  2. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Rest for 2-3 minutes before serving so the juices settle.

Notes

Pro tip: Use an oven-safe skillet so you can go from searing to baking without transferring the chicken. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 days; reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through. Freezing is not recommended because mozzarella can change texture after thawing. For a lower-sugar option, use reduced-sugar honey or a sugar-free honey substitute in the marinade while keeping the balsamic glaze drizzle.