Italian Style Balsamic Marinated Chicken With Mozzarella
Tender chicken breasts marinated in balsamic, seared and finished with melted fresh mozzarella and basil.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts halved
- 1/4 cup balsamic dressing
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella sliced
- fresh basil leaves optional
Instructions
- Place the halved chicken breasts in a mixing bowl and pour the balsamic dressing over them; stir to coat thoroughly, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour (or up to overnight).
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Heat an oven-safe sauté pan over medium-high heat and add the olive oil.
- When the oil is hot and shimmering, remove the chicken from the marinade, season both sides with salt and pepper, and sear in the pan for about 3 minutes per side, until golden brown.
- Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for about 3–6 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the chicken is cooked through.
- Set the oven broiler to high. Top each chicken piece with sliced fresh mozzarella and broil 2–4 minutes, watching carefully, until the cheese is fully melted and lightly bubbling.
- Remove the pan from the oven and let the chicken rest 5–10 minutes on a cutting board before serving; garnish with fresh basil leaves if using.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Plastic Wrap
- oven-safe sauté pan or skillet
- Tongs or spatula
- oven (400°F) and broiler
- Meat Thermometer
- Cutting Board
Notes
- Marinate chicken up to overnight for more flavor.
- Finish under the broiler just until the mozzarella melts.
- Let chicken rest 5–10 minutes before slicing.
- Leftovers work well in sandwiches or on pizza.
- Top with fresh herbs or a drizzle of balsamic glaze if desired.