Description
This Balsamic Chicken and Tomatoes recipe offers a deliciously tangy and slightly sweet chicken dish, marinated in a mixture of balsamic vinegar, honey, and herbs, seared to a golden brown and finished by baking alongside juicy cherry tomatoes. It’s a simple yet flavorful meal perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner, served with a fresh basil garnish and optional balsamic glaze for an extra burst of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Vegetables and Garnish
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
- 1 tbsp balsamic glaze (optional, for drizzling)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the chicken and tomatoes after searing.
- Make Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish or resealable bag and pour half of the balsamic mixture over them. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 10 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor.
- Sear Chicken: Heat a large oven-safe skillet with a little olive oil over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken breasts and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook Tomatoes: In the same skillet, add the halved cherry tomatoes and the remaining balsamic mixture. Stir to coat evenly and cook for about 2 minutes until the tomatoes begin to soften.
- Bake Together: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, placing them on top of the tomatoes. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and is fully cooked.
- Garnish: Remove the skillet from the oven and sprinkle the chicken and tomatoes with freshly chopped basil. Optionally, drizzle balsamic glaze over the top for added flavor and a beautiful finish.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with extra basil. The dish pairs wonderfully with rice, pasta, or a crisp salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken longer (up to 2 hours) enhances the flavor, but even a quick 10-minute marinade works well.
- Use an oven-safe skillet to avoid transferring food to another dish for baking.
- Check the chicken’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it is safe to eat (165°F or 75°C).
- For a lower-calorie meal, skip the honey or reduce the balsamic glaze drizzle.
- Grape tomatoes can be used as a substitute for cherry tomatoes.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
