One Pan Balsamic Chicken – Juicy, Cheesy & Bursting with Flavor

🎉 Introduction

This one pan balsamic chicken is a weeknight dinner hero—simple, comforting, and packed with bold flavor. Juicy chicken breasts are seared until golden, then simmered in a sweet and tangy balsamic glaze with garlic and tomatoes, and finished with melty fresh mozzarella and fragrant basil.

What makes this dish irresistible is its balance: savory chicken, rich balsamic sauce, and creamy cheese, all made in a single pan for easy cleanup. It’s elegant enough for guests yet effortless enough for busy evenings, making it a reliable favorite you’ll return to again and again.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large skillet or sauté pan
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Tongs or spatula

🛒 Ingredients

Chicken

• 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Balsamic Sauce

• ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Vegetables & Cheese

• 8 oz grape tomatoes
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced or torn
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped

Cooking Fat

• 2 tablespoons avocado oil or other high-heat oil

The combination of balsamic vinegar and honey creates a glossy sauce that coats the chicken beautifully.

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Season the Chicken

• Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
• Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.

Step 2: Sear

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add chicken and sear for 4–5 minutes per side, until golden brown.
• Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3: Make the Sauce

• Reduce heat to medium.
• Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
• Stir in balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and Italian seasoning.
• Simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.

Step 4: Add Tomatoes

• Add grape tomatoes to the skillet and stir to coat in the sauce.
• Cook for 2–3 minutes until they begin to soften.

Step 5: Finish Cooking

• Return chicken to the pan and spoon sauce over the top.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5–7 minutes, until chicken is fully cooked and juicy.

Step 6: Add Mozzarella

• Place mozzarella over the chicken.
• Cover the skillet for 1–2 minutes until cheese melts.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

• Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh basil.
• Serve immediately.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 4–6
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
• Total Time: ~35–40 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storage

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating

• Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the oven at 170°C (340°F).
• Add a splash of water if the sauce thickens too much.

🥄 Variations

• Extra Cheesy: Add more mozzarella
• Spicy Version: Add red pepper flakes
• Low-Carb Option: Serve with roasted vegetables
• Meal Prep Style: Slice chicken before serving
• Creamy Twist: Stir in a spoon of cream cheese

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use chicken thighs?
   Yes, they stay extra juicy.
2. Is the sauce sweet?
   Balanced—sweet and tangy.
3. Does balsamic vinegar taste strong?
   It mellows beautifully when cooked.
4. Can I use dried basil?
   Fresh is best, but dried works if needed.
5. Is this kid-friendly?
   Yes, mild and comforting.
6. Can I make it ahead?
   Yes, it reheats very well.
7. Do I need to cover the pan?
   Only when melting the mozzarella.
8. What sides go well?
   Rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes.
9. Can I double the sauce?
   Absolutely—great for serving over sides.
10. Is this good for meal prep?
    Yes, perfect for lunches.

🏁 Conclusion

This one pan balsamic chicken is proof that simple ingredients can create an unforgettable meal. Juicy chicken, a rich balsamic glaze, melty mozzarella, and fresh basil come together in one skillet for a dish that’s comforting, elegant, and incredibly easy.

Once you make it, it will quickly become a staple in your dinner rotation.

Adam

One Pan Balsamic Chicken – Juicy, Cheesy & Bursting with Flavor

This one pan balsamic chicken is a weeknight dinner hero—simple, comforting, and packed with bold flavor. Juicy chicken breasts are seared until golden, then simmered in a sweet and tangy balsamic glaze with garlic and tomatoes, and finished with melty fresh mozzarella and fragrant basil. What makes this dish irresistible is its balance: savory chicken, rich balsamic sauce, and creamy cheese, all made in a single pan for easy cleanup. It’s elegant enough for guests yet effortless enough for busy evenings, making it a reliable favorite you’ll return to again and again.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Chicken

• 2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts

Balsamic Sauce

• ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Vegetables & Cheese

• 8 oz grape tomatoes
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella sliced or torn
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped

Cooking Fat

• 2 tablespoons avocado oil or other high-heat oil
• The combination of balsamic vinegar and honey creates a glossy sauce that coats the chicken beautifully.

Equipment

• Large skillet or sauté pan
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Tongs or spatula

Method

 

Step 1: Season the Chicken

1. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
2. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.

Step 2: Sear

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add chicken and sear for 4–5 minutes per side, until golden brown.
3. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3: Make the Sauce

1. Reduce heat to medium.
2. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Stir in balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and Italian seasoning.
4. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.

Step 4: Add Tomatoes

1. Add grape tomatoes to the skillet and stir to coat in the sauce.
2. Cook for 2–3 minutes until they begin to soften.

Step 5: Finish Cooking

1. Return chicken to the pan and spoon sauce over the top.
2. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5–7 minutes, until chicken is fully cooked and juicy.

Step 6: Add Mozzarella

1. Place mozzarella over the chicken.
2. Cover the skillet for 1–2 minutes until cheese melts.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

1. Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh basil.
2. Serve immediately.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the oven at 170°C (340°F).

Add a splash of water if the sauce thickens too much.

🥄 Variations

Extra Cheesy: Add more mozzarella

Spicy Version: Add red pepper flakes

Low-Carb Option: Serve with roasted vegetables

Meal Prep Style: Slice chicken before serving

Creamy Twist: Stir in a spoon of cream cheese

❓ 10 FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes, they stay extra juicy.

Is the sauce sweet?
Balanced—sweet and tangy.

Does balsamic vinegar taste strong?
It mellows beautifully when cooked.

Can I use dried basil?
Fresh is best, but dried works if needed.

Is this kid-friendly?
Yes, mild and comforting.

Can I make it ahead?
Yes, it reheats very well.

Do I need to cover the pan?
Only when melting the mozzarella.

What sides go well?
Rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes.

Can I double the sauce?
Absolutely—great for serving over sides.

Is this good for meal prep?
Yes, perfect for lunches.

🏁 Conclusion

This one pan balsamic chicken is proof that simple ingredients can create an unforgettable meal. Juicy chicken, a rich balsamic glaze, melty mozzarella, and fresh basil come together in one skillet for a dish that’s comforting, elegant, and incredibly easy.

Once you make it, it will quickly become a staple in your dinner rotation.