Balsamic Baked Chicken Breast Mozzarella (Printable Version)

Juicy chicken baked in balsamic glaze with melted mozzarella, tomatoes, and fresh basil. An easy Italian-inspired main dish ready in 45 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each)

→ Marinade & Glaze

02 - 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 2 tablespoons honey
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Toppings

09 - 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
10 - 2 medium tomatoes, sliced
11 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish
12 - 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze, optional

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish large enough to accommodate chicken breasts in a single layer.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, garlic, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper until well combined.
03 - Arrange chicken breasts in prepared baking dish. Pour balsamic marinade over chicken, turning pieces to ensure even coating on all sides.
04 - Bake uncovered for 20 minutes to develop initial browning and begin cooking process.
05 - Remove from oven. Place tomato slices over each chicken breast, followed by mozzarella cheese slices.
06 - Return to oven and bake 8-10 minutes longer until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F and cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
07 - For golden cheese topping, switch to broil setting for 2-3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
08 - Let chicken rest 3 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and drizzle with additional balsamic glaze if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The balsamic glaze creates this incredible sticky coating that keeps the chicken incredibly moist
  • It feels fancy enough for dinner guests but comes together in under an hour
02 -
  • The honey in the glaze can burn quickly under the broiler so watch it like a hawk
  • Use a meat thermometer instead of cutting into the chicken to check doneness
03 -
  • Let the baking dish cool slightly before adding the cheese so it does not slide right off
  • Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly than cold straight from the fridge

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