Juicy chicken with balsamic sauce (Printable)
Tender golden chicken in rich balsamic glaze with garlic, tomatoes and herbs
# What You Need:
→ Poultry
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 5 ounces each)
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
02 - 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried)
→ Sauce & Seasoning
07 - 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
08 - 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 2 tablespoons honey
10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 1 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ For Serving (Optional)
13 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish
# Directions:
01 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove chicken from pan and set aside on a plate.
03 - In the same pan, add red onion and sauté for 2 minutes until slightly softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
04 - Stir in cherry tomatoes and cook for 3-4 minutes until they start to release juices and soften slightly.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, chicken broth, and honey until well combined. Pour mixture into the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon.
06 - Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them among the vegetables. Sprinkle with thyme and chopped basil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
07 - Remove the lid and continue simmering uncovered for 2-3 minutes to allow the sauce to reduce and thicken slightly.
08 - Transfer chicken to plates, spoon the pan sauce and vegetables over the top, and garnish with additional fresh basil leaves if desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The balsamic glaze creates that perfect sweet and tangy balance that makes everyone think you spent hours on it
- Everything cooks in one pan, so you get maximum flavor with minimum cleanup
02 -
- Dont skip the searing step because that brown crust is what gives the sauce its deep flavor
- Letting the tomatoes burst naturally is key so dont rush this part of the process
03 -
- Swirl in 1 tablespoon of cold butter right at the end for an incredibly velvety finish
- Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking since chicken breast dries out quickly