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Balsamic Baked Chicken Breast with Mozzarella Cheese

A sweet and savory chicken dish that is easy to prepare, perfect for impressing guests and making family meals enjoyable.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main ingredients
  • 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for greasing and searing
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup honey is preferred
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil fresh is optional but preferred
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano fresh is optional but preferred
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced handle with care to avoid burning
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved can substitute with bell peppers
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese for topping
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish optional for decoration
Seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil.
  2. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
Making the Sauce
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), dried basil, dried oregano, and minced garlic.
Cooking the Chicken
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for about 2–3 minutes on each side until golden.
  2. Place the seared chicken in the prepared dish. Pour the balsamic mixture over the chicken and scatter halved cherry tomatoes around it.
  3. Bake in the oven for about 20–25 minutes until almost cooked through.
  4. Remove from the oven, sprinkle mozzarella cheese over each chicken breast, and return to the oven for an additional 5–10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Serving
  1. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired and serve warm.

Notes

For best results, let the chicken come to room temperature before cooking. Dried herbs can be substituted for fresh, using half the amount. This dish is excellent with a glass of red wine.