Balsamic Baked Chicken Breast with Mozzarella Cheese

Are you on the hunt for a weeknight meal that is not only quick and easy but also brimming with flavour and genuinely healthy? We certainly know that feeling of staring into the fridge after a busy day, hoping for inspiration to strike. Well, the perfect answer to that dinner dilemma is closer and more delicious than you might imagine.

Allow us to introduce what we’re confident will become your new favourite dish: our truly sensational balsamic baked chicken breast with mozzarella cheese. This recipe is a flawless harmony of savoury, sweet, and tangy notes, featuring succulent chicken, sweet cherry tomatoes, and a beautiful topping of melted mozzarella. It’s a sophisticated meal that is surprisingly straightforward to make, allowing you to feel like a culinary star with very little effort. Let’s get started and whip up this amazing dish together!

Why We Absolutely Adore This Recipe

This is far more than just another chicken recipe; it has become a cherished staple in our homes for a multitude of reasons. It perfectly marries elegant flavours with the simplicity required for a midweek dinner. If you need a little more convincing, here is why we are sure you will fall for it as well.

• Quick and Easy: Requiring just 10 minutes of hands-on preparation, this dish is a true lifesaver on hectic evenings. Your oven takes care of the hard work, giving you more time to relax.
• Incredibly Flavourful: The blend of zesty balsamic, sweet tomatoes, fragrant garlic, and fresh basil works together to create a delightful chorus of classic Italian-inspired tastes. It never fails to impress.
• Healthy and Wholesome: Built around lean protein, fresh vegetables, and beneficial fats, this is a meal you can serve with complete confidence. It is naturally low in carbohydrates and fits seamlessly into a balanced lifestyle.
• Minimal Washing Up: Because everything comes together in a single baking dish, you won’t face a daunting pile of pots and pans after your meal. It’s the perfect easy chicken bake for a stress-free clean-up.

The Key Ingredients for Our Balsamic Baked Chicken

The true magic of this recipe is found in its simplicity and the high quality of its components. You don’t require an extensive or complex shopping list to produce something utterly delicious. Here is everything we will need.

• Chicken Breasts: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 150-180g each).
• Balsamic Vinegar: 60ml of a good-quality balsamic vinegar.
• Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
• Garlic: 3 cloves, finely minced.
• Seasoning: 1 teaspoon each of dried oregano and salt, plus ½ teaspoon of black pepper.
• Cherry Tomatoes: 250g, cut in half.
• Fresh Mozzarella: 225g, either sliced or torn into smaller pieces.
• Fresh Basil: A generous handful of fresh leaves to use as a garnish.
• Balsamic Glaze (Optional): Perfect for a final flourish.

Choosing Your Chicken

For this recipe, we opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts as they provide an excellent source of lean protein. To achieve the very best texture, we suggest pounding the chicken to a uniform thickness of about ¾ inch. This crucial step ensures that the breasts cook evenly, which prevents the thinner edges from becoming dry before the thicker centre is cooked through. It’s our secret to guaranteeing a moist and tender result every time.

The Magic of Balsamic Vinegar

The undisputed star of this dish is the balsamic vinegar. Using a good-quality one will elevate the flavour immensely. It contributes a wonderful sweet and tangy character that caramelises beautifully as it bakes. For an extra pop of intense flavour, we adore finishing the dish with a drizzle of balsamic glaze chicken style. This is simply balsamic vinegar that has been simmered down to a thicker, sweeter consistency. You can find it ready-made or create your own by gently heating balsamic vinegar on the hob until its volume has reduced by half. As highlighted by BBC Good Food, genuine balsamic vinegar has a mellow tartness that cannot be matched by cheaper alternatives.

Fresh Mozzarella is a Must

When it comes to the cheese, we believe fresh mozzarella is simply non-negotiable. While pre-shredded cheese is an option, the fresh kind melts into glorious, creamy pools that are utterly divine. Its delicate, milky flavour and soft texture are the perfect counterparts to the other components. This is the element that transforms it into an exceptional mozzarella topped chicken recipe, reminiscent of a fresh Caprese salad.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Balsamic Baked Chicken Breast with Mozzarella Cheese

Are you ready to bring this wonderful dish to life? Just follow our straightforward steps to ensure a flawless outcome. This is a truly fantastic healthy chicken recipe that makes no sacrifices on taste.

1. Preheat and Prepare: To begin, set your oven to 200°C (180°C Fan / Gas Mark 6). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with a touch of olive oil.
2. Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry using a paper towel. If you haven’t done so already, pound them to an even thickness. Season them on both sides with a generous amount of salt, pepper, and dried oregano.
3. Sear for Flavour (Optional but Recommended): In a large, oven-safe frying pan, heat one tablespoon of olive oil over a medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until beautifully golden brown. This step is fantastic for sealing in the juices and building a deeper flavour. If your pan isn’t oven-safe, just move the seared chicken into your prepared baking dish.
4. Create the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, the last tablespoon of olive oil, and the minced garlic until combined.
5. Assemble the Dish: Place the seared chicken within the baking dish. Scatter the halved cherry tomatoes all around the chicken pieces. Pour the balsamic dressing evenly over the chicken and tomatoes.
6. Time to Bake: Put the dish into the hot oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked. A meat thermometer should read 74°C (165°F) at the thickest part.
7. Add the Cheese: Cautiously take the dish out of the oven. Lay the fresh mozzarella slices over the top of each chicken breast. Pop the dish back into the oven for a further 3-5 minutes, until the cheese has melted and is bubbling and lightly golden. For a browner top, you can switch to the grill setting for the final minute, but keep a very close eye on it!
8. Garnish and Rest: Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes after baking. This lets the juices settle back into the meat, making every bite perfectly tender. Garnish with plenty of fresh basil leaves and finish with a drizzle of balsamic glaze, if desired.

Our Top Tips for Recipe Success

Having made this dish more times than we can count, we’ve gathered a few handy tricks over the years to help you make it perfectly every single time.

• Don’t Overcook the Chicken: The golden rule for succulent chicken is to avoid overcooking it. A meat thermometer is an invaluable tool for this. Remove the chicken from the oven the moment it hits 74°C.
• Let it Rest: We’ve already mentioned this, but it’s worth repeating. Resting the chicken for 5 minutes before you slice into it is essential for it to retain all its delicious juices.
• Use Fresh Herbs: While dried oregano provides a lovely base flavour, the addition of fresh basil at the end introduces a vibrant, aromatic quality that truly elevates the entire dish.
• Deglaze the Pan: If you seared the chicken in a frying pan, don’t wash away those flavourful browned bits at the bottom! Pour the balsamic mixture into the hot pan and gently scrape the base to incorporate all that concentrated taste before pouring it over the chicken.

Perfect Pairings and Serving Suggestions

This wonderfully versatile Caprese chicken dish is a delight to pair with a whole host of side dishes. We especially love serving it with something that will mop up all the flavourful juices from the pan.

Delicious Side Dishes

• Creamy Mashed Potatoes: A comforting and classic accompaniment.
• Roasted Asparagus or Broccoli: Simply toss the veg in olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast it in the oven with the chicken.
• Quinoa or Couscous: A wholesome and light grain that beautifully complements the meal.
• A Simple Green Salad: The crispness of a fresh salad dressed with a light vinaigrette provides a wonderful, refreshing contrast.

Variations to Try

Although we believe this recipe is perfect as it is, it also serves as an excellent foundation for your own culinary experiments. If you are a fan of simple, flavourful chicken bakes, you will also love our Garlic Herb Chicken, which employs a similar method but with a different, yet equally delicious, flavour combination.

For those who appreciate a touch of sweet heat, our Hot Honey Feta Chicken Recipe is another brilliant one-pan dish to introduce into your weekly dinner schedule. Feeling more creative? Consider adding sliced red onions, bell peppers, or a pinch of chilli flakes to the baking dish to introduce another layer of flavour.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Certainly! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a superb substitute. They are naturally more moist and forgiving if you happen to cook them a little too long. You might need to alter the baking time, so we always advise using a meat thermometer to confirm they are cooked through.

How do I store leftovers?

Keep any leftovers in an airtight container and pop them in the fridge for up to three days. We find the flavours often deepen overnight, making it even tastier the next day! We recommend reheating it gently in the microwave or in the oven in a covered dish to keep the chicken from drying out.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can get a head start on the prep work. Feel free to season the chicken and mix the balsamic dressing ahead of time, storing them in separate containers in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When it’s time to eat, you just need to assemble and bake according to the instructions.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Indeed, this recipe is naturally free from gluten. It is always wise to double-check the label on your balsamic vinegar to ensure it is pure and does not contain any gluten-based additives, which can occasionally be present in lower-quality varieties.

A Perfect Dinner, Any Night of the Week

So, there we have it – a simple, sophisticated, and utterly delicious recipe for balsamic baked chicken breast with mozzarella cheese. It stands as proof that you do not need to dedicate hours to your kitchen to produce a meal that is both deeply satisfying and impressive enough for company. It’s an ideal choice for a speedy family dinner, a healthy meal prep solution, or even for entertaining friends.

We are truly confident that this recipe will earn a cherished spot in your cooking repertoire. Now it’s over to you! We encourage you to give it a go and share your thoughts in the comments section below. We always enjoy hearing about your culinary adventures. And please, don’t forget to share this with anyone you know who is in need of a new weeknight dinner champion!