One Pan Balsamic Chicken
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This dish brings back summer evenings on the patio, with the smell of basil in the air and the sound of laughter nearby. Sweet, tangy, and rich in flavor, it’s a one-pan meal that looks fancy but is secretly effortless. With juicy chicken, creamy mozzarella, and bursting tomatoes—it’s love at first bite.
Ingredients
For the Marinade:
⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp olive or avocado oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
For the Chicken & Topping:
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (evenly pounded)
2 tbsp avocado oil or other high-heat oil
Kosher salt & freshly ground pepper
8 oz fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine or pearls)
2 tbsp finely chopped fresh basil
Instructions
Mix balsamic vinegar, honey, oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, and Dijon mustard in a bowl.
Pour over chicken and marinate for 20–30 minutes.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with 2 tbsp oil.
Remove chicken from marinade (reserve marinade) and season with salt and pepper.
Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
Add reserved marinade, tomatoes, and mozzarella to pan.
Simmer 2–3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and cheese softens.
Sprinkle with fresh basil and serve hot.
Notes
A gorgeous dish with little cleanup—this balsamic chicken will impress every time, no apron stress required.
- Prep Time: 15 mins (plus marinating)
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Dinner
Nutrition
- Calories: 410
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Protein: 38g
Hey, Flavor Chaser! Let’s Make Magic in One Pan
Picture this: golden chicken glazed in sticky-sweet balsamic, nestled beside blistered tomatoes and creamy mozzarella that’s just begging to melt into the sauce. The air smells like your nonna’s kitchen crossed with a sunny Italian vineyard—and the best part? You only dirtied one skillet. *Cue the happy dance.* This One Pan Balsamic Chicken isn’t just dinner; it’s a 30-minute vacation from reality. I’m Isla, your kitchen hype-woman from BiteTide, and I live for moments like this—where flavor feels fancy but effort stays blissfully low. No PhD in culinary arts required, promise. Just grab your favorite pan (and maybe a glass of Chianti), because we’re about to turn Tuesday night into a standing ovation. Trust me, this dish? It’s the edible equivalent of a cozy hug with a tangy kick. Let’s make those taste buds surf the BiteTide wave! 🏄♀️
Sunset Dinners & Basil-Stained Fingers
This recipe tastes like golden-hour light and salt-kissed breezes to me. Growing up in my coastal hometown, summer meant Dad firing up the grill on our rickety patio while Mom tossed basil from her garden into *everything*. One sweltering August evening, our grill ran out of propane mid-chicken crisis (classic!). Mom, ever the improv queen, grabbed our trusty cast iron, balsamic glaze, and a pint of cherry tomatoes. What emerged was pure alchemy—juicy chicken swimming in tangy-sweet sauce, with tomatoes bursting like fireworks. We ate straight from the pan, laughing as mozzarella pearls stuck to our forks, fireflies blinking around us like tiny disco balls. That chaotic, perfect moment? It’s why I insist recipes should bend, not break. Life’s messy. Dinner shouldn’t stress you out. Every time I make this, I’m back on that patio, barefoot and blissful, with basil under my nails and joy in my belly.
Your Flavor Arsenal (Plus Swaps!)
Gather these heroes—they’re about to become BFFs. Pro tip: Marinate during your favorite 20-minute podcast episode!
- Balsamic Vinegar (⅓ cup): The star! Its syrupy tang balances the honey. Chef hack: Swap in fig balsamic for extra depth.
- Honey (2 tbsp): Nature’s caramelizer. Vegan? Maple syrup works beautifully.
- Olive Oil (2 tbsp): Carries flavors and helps searing. Avocado oil’s higher smoke point is great for hot skillets.
- Garlic Cloves (2, minced): Non-negotiable for soul-warming aroma. Short on time? ½ tsp garlic powder does the trick.
- Italian Seasoning (1 tsp): Herbal confetti! No blend? Use ¼ tsp each dried oregano, basil, and thyme.
- Dijon Mustard (1 tbsp): Secret weapon for creaminess and zing. Yellow mustard works in a pinch—skip if you hate tang.
- Chicken Breasts (2 lbs, pounded even): Pound ’em to ½-inch thickness so they cook fast and stay juicy. Thighs are fab for richer flavor!
- Grape Tomatoes (8 oz, halved): They roast into jammy gems. Sub sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed) for intense sweetness.
- Fresh Mozzarella (8 oz pearls/balls): Melts into creamy pools. Burrata? Yes, please—add it after cooking.
- Fresh Basil (2 tbsp, chopped): The confetti finish! No fresh? A sprinkle of dried basil in the marinade works.
Let’s Cook (With Zero Stress!)
Channel your inner weeknight warrior—I’ve got your back with pro tips at every sizzle.
- Mix the marinade: Whisk balsamic, honey, oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, and Dijon in a bowl. Chef’s confession: I taste it! Want more zing? Add extra balsamic.
- Marinate the chicken: Place chicken in a shallow dish, pour marinade over, and flip to coat. Set aside 20–30 mins (room temp!). Tip: Don’t over-marinate—acid can toughen chicken.
- Heat the pan: Swirl 2 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Test heat: Flick water—it should dance and evaporate fast.
- Sear like a boss: Remove chicken (reserve marinade!), season with salt and pepper, and add to skillet. Sear 4–5 mins per side until golden-brown and 165°F internal. Hack: DON’T move it until it releases easily—that crust is gold!
- Create the magic sauce: Pour reserved marinade into the pan—it’ll bubble and thicken. Safety first: Boil 1 minute to kill any raw chicken germs.
- Tomato-mozzarella party: Add tomatoes and mozzarella. Simmer 2–3 mins until tomatoes soften and cheese starts to melt. Gently shake the pan—no stirring!—to keep cheese pretty.
- Basil blast: Kill the heat and sprinkle basil over everything. Reserve some for garnish—it’s Insta-worthy!
- Rest & impress: Let chicken rest 3 mins in the pan. Why? Juices redistribute. Patience = succulent bites.
Plate It Pretty (Minimal Effort, Max Wow)
Spoon that glorious chicken and saucy tomatoes onto plates. Drizzle extra pan sauce over the top—it’s liquid gold! I love pairing it with fluffy quinoa or crusty bread to swipe up every drop. For summer vibes? Add a simple arugula salad with lemon squeeze. Stack the mozzarella pearls like treasure and tuck basil leaves artfully. Dim the lights, light a candle, and watch your crew’s eyes widen. This dish *wants* to be the star—let it shine!
Shake It Up, Flavor Explorer!
This recipe is your canvas—paint it bold!
- Mediterranean Twist: Swap mozzarella for feta, add olives and artichoke hearts.
- Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes to the marinade and top with chili oil.
- Veggie-Packed: Toss in zucchini ribbons or bell peppers with the tomatoes.
- Dairy-Free Dream: Skip cheese, add capers and extra tomatoes. Finish with avocado slices.
- Pizza Night Vibe: Serve chicken over roasted garlic crostini—mini chicken “pizzas”!
Isla’s Kitchen Confessions
This recipe evolved from that grill-fail night into my most-requested dish! I’ve made it while balancing a toddler on my hip (hello, one-handed seasoning), subbed strawberries for tomatoes in spring (surprisingly delish), and even burned the marinade once—lesson learned: medium-high heat ≠ high heat. 😅 The sauce thickens as it cools, so leftovers taste even richer. Pro tip: Double the marinade and freeze half for future you. And if your cheese melts into a glorious mess instead of perfect pearls? Own it! As Grandma always said, “Flavor first, pretty second.” Now go make memories—and tag me @BiteTide so I can cheer you on!
Your Questions, Answered!
Q: Can I marinate longer than 30 minutes?
A: Stick to 30 max! Balsamic’s acidity can make chicken mushy. For deeper flavor, add a splash of balsamic at the end instead.
Q: My sauce is too thin. Help!
A: No stress! Simmer an extra 2–3 minutes uncovered. If still runny, mix 1 tsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp water, stir in, and simmer 1 minute. Boom—glaze mode.
Q: Tomatoes still firm after cooking?
A: Halve them smaller or give ’em a gentle squash with your spoon in the pan. Next time, try smaller cherry tomatoes—they burst faster!
Q: Can I use shredded mozzarella?
A> Fresh balls melt creamier, but shredded works in a pinch! Sprinkle it over the chicken at the very end, cover the pan off-heat, and let residual warmth melt it.
Nutrition Per Serving (Because Balance!)
Calories: 410 | Protein: 38g | Fat: 22g | Carbs: 14g
Note: Estimates vary based on swaps. Using thighs? Add ~50 calories. Skipping cheese? Subtract ~70.
🍷 Final Bite: Cozy, Tangy, Totally Worth It
There you have it, flavor chaser—your one-skillet ticket to weeknight glory. This balsamic beauty is proof that simple ingredients + a splash of love = pure magic on a plate. It’s cozy without being heavy, bold without being fussy, and just fancy enough to make your Tuesday feel like a dinner party. Whether you’re cooking solo with your favorite playlist or feeding a table full of hungry humans, this dish shows up, shines bright, and asks for nothing more than a good crusty bread swipe at the end.
So pour yourself that glass of Chianti, let the basil perfume your kitchen, and raise a fork to stress-free deliciousness. From my family’s patio to your dinner table—cheers to making meals that feel like memories. 💫
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