Perfect One Pan Balsamic Chicken Recipe

I discovered this one pan balsamic chicken during a particularly chaotic Tuesday when my son had soccer practice and my daughter needed help with her science project. I threw everything into one skillet, crossed my fingers, and ended up with the most aromatic, restaurant-quality dinner that had my family fighting over seconds. The rich balsamic glaze creates this incredible depth of flavor that transforms simple chicken breasts into something truly special.

What makes this recipe a total game-changer is how that tangy balsamic reduction caramelizes beautifully in the oven, coating the chicken in pure flavor gold. The fresh mozzarella melts into creamy perfection while those burst cherry tomatoes add bright pops of freshness. Plus, with 63 grams of protein per serving, it satisfies even my teenage athlete’s appetite while keeping cleanup to just one pan.

This one pan balsamic chicken delivers both convenience and sophistication – exactly what busy families need. Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This One Pan Balsamic Chicken

I’ve made this countless times for everything from weeknight dinners to entertaining friends, and it never fails to impress. The balsamic vinegar reduction creates this complex, restaurant-quality glaze that elevates simple chicken breasts into something truly memorable, while the combination of fresh herbs and melted mozzarella delivers incredible richness.

The beauty lies in how everything cooks together in one skillet – the chicken stays incredibly juicy while absorbing all those aromatic flavors, and cleanup is practically nonexistent. Unlike complicated multi-step recipes, this comes together in about 30 minutes with minimal prep work. The fresh mozzarella melts perfectly without becoming rubbery, and those burst tomatoes create little pockets of sweet-tart flavor throughout the dish.

Storage & Serving Tips

This balsamic chicken tastes absolutely divine served immediately when the mozzarella is still bubbly and the glaze is at its glossiest peak. I recommend storing leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days, though honestly, it rarely lasts that long in my house because my family devours it.

For reheating, pop portions in a 350°F oven for 15–20 minutes covered with foil rather than the microwave to maintain that tender texture and prevent the chicken from drying out. Pro tip from my kitchen: if you’re meal prepping, slightly undercook the chicken by 2–3 minutes since it’ll finish cooking during reheating. The flavors actually develop and deepen overnight, making leftovers sometimes even better than the original meal.

What to Serve with Balsamic Chicken?

This protein-packed balsamic chicken pairs beautifully with both simple sides and complete meals, creating endless possibilities for satisfying dinners that please everyone.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes: The creamy, buttery potatoes soak up that incredible balsamic glaze perfectly, creating the ultimate comfort food combination that my family requests constantly, especially alongside my High-Protein Creamy Garlic Cheesy Chicken Potatoes.

Steamed Asparagus: I often serve this with crisp-tender asparagus because the slight bitterness balances the sweet-tangy glaze beautifully while adding extra nutrients and fiber to round out the meal, much like my Steakhouse Potato Salad does when I want a heartier pairing.

Quinoa Salad: In my kitchen, I frequently pair this with a fresh quinoa salad loaded with herbs and lemon vinaigrette – the protein combination is phenomenal and creates a complete, satisfying meal, similar in balance to my Chickpea Beet and Feta Salad.

Air-Fryer Green Beans: These work wonderfully alongside perfectly crispy green beans that cook while the chicken bakes, making timing effortless and adding that satisfying crunch contrast, just like my Low-Carb Crispy Broccoli Cheese Rounds.

Conclusion

One Pan Balsamic Chicken

This balsamic chicken is a complex, rich, and aromatic dinner anyone can make. Paired with tomatoes and basil, it makes for a tangy, tart and balanced meal. It’s high protein and gluten-free.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 4 portions

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 608

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella
• 2 cups grape tomatoes halved
• 2 tbsp fresh basil chopped
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 lb chicken breasts boneless, skinless, pounded to even thickness
• sea salt to taste
• black pepper to taste

Equipment

• Large oven-safe skillet
• Small mixing bowls

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F
2. In a small bowl, mix together balsamic vinegar, honey, olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder and Dijon mustard
3. In a separate bowl, tear mozzarella into pieces with your hands. Add in the grape tomatoes and chopped basil. Season with salt and black pepper. Toss all of the ingredients together to combine
4. Heat up a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add vegetable oil and let it heat up
5. Season the chicken with salt and black pepper, and add to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown
6. Give the balsamic vinegar mixture another swirl and pour it over the chicken. Let it come to a simmer, and scrape off any browning off the pan
7. Remove the pan from the heat, cover the chicken with the mozzarella mixture, and bake in the oven uncovered for 18-23 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked
8. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

Make sure chicken is pounded to even thickness for uniform cooking. Use an oven-safe skillet or transfer to baking dish if needed. Scrape up any browning from pan to prevent burning. Let rest 3-5 minutes before serving for best results.