When busy evenings call for something quick yet satisfying, One Pan Balsamic Chicken answers with bold flavors and minimal cleanup. Juicy chicken breasts are seared to perfection, then finished with a tangy-sweet balsamic glaze that pairs beautifully with mozzarella, tomatoes, and fresh basil. Every bite feels like a comforting Italian-inspired meal, but it comes together with pantry staples in under 30 minutes. Best of all, it’s all cooked in a single pan, making cleanup a breeze. Perfect for weeknights or casual entertaining, this dish is proof that simple ingredients can deliver restaurant-worthy flavor.
The Story & Intro – Weeknight Dinner with a Gourmet Touch
A recipe born from simplicity
There’s something special about dinners that taste like they took hours but really didn’t. That’s the story behind One Pan Balsamic Chicken. It started as a craving for something fresh and hearty after a long day. With little time to spare, I grabbed chicken breasts, a handful of tomatoes, and mozzarella from the fridge. The balsamic vinegar brought everything together—its tangy depth balancing the sweetness of honey and the creaminess of melted mozzarella.
What surprised me most wasn’t just how delicious it turned out, but how little effort it took. With everything happening in one skillet, there was no juggling multiple pots or spending extra time on dishes. Just sear, simmer, and serve.
Comfort food with elegance
This recipe feels both comforting and elegant. The chicken stays tender thanks to pounding it to an even thickness, ensuring each bite is juicy and well-seasoned. The balsamic glaze, enriched with garlic, Dijon, and honey, clings to the chicken and drips onto the mozzarella and tomatoes, making every forkful flavorful. Fresh basil sprinkled over the top brings brightness that ties it all together.
It’s the kind of dish that fits just as easily on a weeknight table as it does at a dinner party. Served with a crisp salad or crusty bread, it’s complete on its own yet versatile enough to pair with any side. And the best part? The pan tells the story—just one pan, one sauce, and one delicious meal that will quickly become a favorite.
Ingredients & Cooking Method Made Simple
Everyday ingredients, bold flavor
The beauty of One Pan Balsamic Chicken is that it relies on simple pantry staples to create rich, complex flavor. The balsamic glaze comes together with just vinegar, honey, garlic, Dijon mustard, and Italian seasoning. A touch of oil helps everything blend into a smooth, glossy sauce.
The chicken is the star—two pounds of boneless, skinless breasts, pounded to even thickness so they cook evenly and stay juicy. Grape tomatoes add sweetness and color, while fresh mozzarella melts into creamy pools that contrast beautifully with the tangy glaze. Basil finishes the dish with a burst of freshness.
All of these ingredients are easy to find, yet when combined, they feel like something special.
Step-by-step, no stress
Start by preparing the mozzarella: halve the balls if they’re larger, leave them whole if you’re using pearls. Pound the chicken breasts until even—it’s a small step that makes a huge difference in tenderness.
In a hot skillet, sear the chicken in oil until golden on both sides. While it cooks, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Pour the sauce into the pan and let it bubble gently, coating the chicken as it simmers to perfection.
Once the chicken is nearly done, scatter halved tomatoes around the pan and top everything with mozzarella. Cover briefly until the cheese softens and the tomatoes release just a little juice. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh basil, and the dish is ready to serve.
With only one pan and a handful of ingredients, you’ve created a complete, flavorful meal that’s both weeknight-friendly and impressive enough for guests.
One Pan Balsamic Chicken
Ingredients
- Sauce
- ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 Tbsp. honey
- 2 Tbsp. oil such as avocado or olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- Tomato Mozzarella
- 8 oz. grape tomatoes halved
- 8 oz. fresh mozzarella balls ciliegine or pearls
- 2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh basil
- Chicken
- 2 lb. boneless skinless, chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
- 2 Tbsp. avocado oil or other high-heat oil
- Kosher salt and fresh black pepper
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, toss together the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large oven-safe skillet. Season the chicken all over with salt and pepper, to taste. When the pan is hot and oil is shimmering, add the chicken to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes on each side or until lightly golden brown. Add the balsamic sauce mixture. It should quickly come to a simmer. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Immediately remove the pan from the heat and add the tomato mozzarella mixture over the chicken.
- Bake uncovered for 18-23 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked through. Internal temperature should register at 165F. Remove from the oven and rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips, Tricks & Serving Ideas
Secrets for juicy, flavorful chicken
The key to perfect One Pan Balsamic Chicken lies in preparation. Always pound the chicken breasts to even thickness. This ensures quick, even cooking and keeps the meat tender. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper before searing—it helps form a golden crust that locks in flavor.
For the glaze, balance is everything. Too much vinegar can overpower the dish, but honey softens the tang. If you prefer a sweeter finish, add an extra drizzle of honey just before serving. Love a little spice? A pinch of red pepper flakes gives the sauce subtle heat without overwhelming the other flavors.
Another important tip: don’t overcrowd the pan. Searing chicken in batches helps it brown instead of steam. Once the sauce is added, you can return all the chicken to the pan for finishing.
Serving suggestions that shine
This dish is satisfying on its own, but pairing it with the right side makes it unforgettable. Serve with roasted vegetables or a simple arugula salad for a light, balanced meal. Crusty bread works beautifully to soak up the extra balsamic glaze. For a heartier dinner, pair it with garlic mashed potatoes or buttered pasta.
If you’re planning for guests, plate the chicken with a few mozzarella balls and tomatoes on top, then drizzle with extra sauce for presentation. A sprinkle of freshly shaved Parmesan adds an extra layer of richness.
This recipe is flexible, too. Swap basil for fresh parsley if that’s what you have. Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a more robust flavor. However you adapt it, the result is always the same: a one-pan dinner that’s flavorful, easy, and impossible to resist.
Storage, Meal Prep & Leftovers
How to store for freshness
One of the best things about One Pan Balsamic Chicken is how well it keeps. Once cooled, store the chicken with its sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It stays fresh for up to 4 days, making it an ideal recipe for meal prep. Keep the mozzarella and tomatoes in the same container so the flavors continue to mingle as it rests.
When reheating, warm the chicken gently on the stove over low heat. Add a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen the glaze and prevent it from getting too thick. The mozzarella may melt further, but the flavors remain bold and satisfying. If you’re short on time, the microwave works too—just cover the container to trap moisture.
Freezing and make-ahead tips
You can freeze the chicken and balsamic glaze, but leave out the mozzarella and tomatoes for best texture. Freeze in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge, reheat gently, then add fresh mozzarella and tomatoes before serving. This keeps the dish tasting bright and fresh, rather than mushy.
For make-ahead meals, consider prepping the sauce a day early. Simply whisk the balsamic, honey, Dijon, garlic, and seasoning together and store in a jar in the fridge. On a busy night, all that’s left is searing the chicken, pouring in the sauce, and finishing with the mozzarella and tomatoes.
Serving leftovers with a twist
Leftovers don’t have to be boring. Slice the chicken and serve it over mixed greens for a quick salad. Or tuck it into a wrap with arugula and extra mozzarella for a portable lunch. However you serve it, the flavors deepen over time, making every bite just as good—if not better—the next day.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I make One Pan Balsamic Chicken ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the balsamic sauce a day in advance and store it in the fridge. When ready, sear the chicken, add the sauce, and finish with mozzarella and tomatoes. The chicken itself can also be cooked fully and reheated gently before serving.
2. Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Absolutely. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully in this recipe. They have a richer flavor and stay moist, though they may take a couple of extra minutes to cook through compared to breasts.
3. What sides go best with One Pan Balsamic Chicken?
This dish pairs well with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh green salad. For a lighter option, serve it with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice to let the balsamic glaze shine.
4. Can I freeze leftovers of One Pan Balsamic Chicken?
Yes, but for best results, freeze only the chicken and balsamic glaze. Skip freezing the mozzarella and tomatoes, as they don’t thaw well. When reheating, add fresh mozzarella and tomatoes for the best flavor and texture.
Conclusion
When weeknights feel too hectic for cooking, One Pan Balsamic Chicken proves that flavor and simplicity can go hand in hand. With just a few pantry staples, you create tender chicken, a tangy-sweet glaze, and a fresh burst of tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil—all in one skillet.
It’s quick enough for a busy evening yet elegant enough to serve when guests come over. The ease of one pan means less time cleaning and more time enjoying dinner at the table. Make it once, and it will quickly become a go-to recipe that’s as comforting as it is impressive.
