It’s Wednesday, and we deserve a dinner that feels a little bit special. We need a meal that’s elegant and packed with flavor, but without the fuss and long cooking times that we just don’t have time for in the middle of the week. Let me introduce you to my secret weapon for exactly these occasions: this stunning Balsamic Glazed Chicken Dinner Recipe.
This is the very definition of effortless elegance. In this one-pan wonder, tender, juicy chicken breasts are pan-seared to golden perfection and then coated in a glossy, tangy-sweet balsamic glaze that is simply irresistible. We’ll add some sweet cherry tomatoes that burst in the sauce and finish it all with a sprinkle of fresh basil for a meal that looks and tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant.
The best part? This entire show-stopping meal comes together in about 30 minutes, using just one skillet. It’s proof that you don’t need a lot of time or complicated ingredients to create something truly beautiful and delicious. It’s the perfect way to elevate your weeknight dinner routine.
Effortless Elegance in a Skillet
The magic of this dish lies in the transformative power of a simple balsamic glaze. A good bottle of balsamic vinegar is a true pantry hero. When it’s gently simmered and reduced, its flavors concentrate, turning it from a simple vinegar into a complex, syrupy, and incredibly flavorful glaze. It’s a classic Italian-inspired technique that is deceptively simple to master.
I was inspired to create this recipe after a meal at a small trattoria, where the simplest dishes were always the most memorable. This one-pan meal captures that spirit—it’s rustic, sophisticated, and built on a foundation of simple, high-quality ingredients that are allowed to shine. It’s my go-to for a quick date night in or for when I just want to treat myself to something lovely on a regular Wednesday here in Cologne.
Why This Will Be Your New Favorite Chicken Recipe:
- A True One-Pan Wonder: From searing the chicken to making the glaze, everything happens in one skillet, which means incredible flavor and minimal cleanup.
- Incredibly Fast and Easy: This is a genuine 30-minute meal, making it the perfect choice for a busy evening when you’re craving something special.
- Uses Pantry-Friendly Ingredients: There’s a good chance you already have most of the ingredients you need for this elegant sauce in your kitchen right now.
- Looks and Tastes So Fancy: This is an impressive dish that’s perfect for guests, but secretly so simple you can make it any night of the week.
Ingredients & Equipment
For the Balsamic Glazed Chicken:
- Chicken Breasts: 4 medium boneless, skinless, pounded to an even ½-inch thickness.
- Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: To taste.
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons.
- Garlic: 3 large cloves, minced.
- Balsamic Vinegar (Balsamico-Essig): 80 ml (⅓ cup). A good quality, everyday balsamic is perfect.
- Chicken Broth (Hühnerbrühe): 120 ml (½ cup).
- Honey (Honig) or Maple Syrup: 2 tablespoons.
- Dijon Mustard: 1 teaspoon (optional, but adds a nice tang).
- Cherry Tomatoes: 1 pint (about 2 cups).
- Fresh Basil: A handful of leaves, torn or chopped, for garnish.
Helpful Equipment:
- A large skillet (10-12 inches). A stainless steel or cast iron skillet is great for getting a nice sear on the chicken.
Time Estimates
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Step-by-Step Instructions
This elegant meal comes together in just a few simple steps.
Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken Pat the pounded chicken breasts completely dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in your large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, place the chicken in the pan in a single layer. Cook for 4-6 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set it aside.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until it’s fragrant. Be careful not to let it burn.
Step 3: Create the Balsamic Glaze Pour the balsamic vinegar into the skillet to deglaze, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it bubble for a moment, then whisk in the chicken broth, honey (or maple syrup), and the optional Dijon mustard.
Step 4: Reduce and Thicken Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a steady simmer. Let the sauce simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has reduced by about half and thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Step 5: Bring It All Together Return the seared chicken breasts (along with any juices that have collected on the plate) to the skillet. Add the cherry tomatoes to the pan around the chicken.
Step 6: Glaze and Finish Continue to simmer for another 3-5 minutes, spooning the balsamic glaze over the chicken, until the chicken is heated through and the tomatoes have softened and started to burst.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve Turn off the heat and stir in the fresh basil leaves. Serve the chicken immediately, with the burst tomatoes and extra glaze spooned over the top.
Notes, Tips, & Variations
- Watch the Glaze Carefully: A balsamic reduction can go from a perfect syrupy glaze to a burnt, bitter mess very quickly because of the sugar content. Keep an eye on it as it thickens.
- Caprese-Style Twist: For an extra touch of indulgence, add some small fresh mozzarella balls (
Bocconcini) to the pan during the last minute of cooking, just until they begin to soften and melt. - Add More Veggies: This is a great base recipe! Sliced mushrooms or onions sautéed before the garlic, or some tender asparagus spears added with the tomatoes, would all be delicious.
- Serving Suggestions: This chicken is incredibly versatile. It’s fantastic served over creamy Parmesan polenta, fluffy couscous, or mashed potatoes. It’s also lovely with a side of roasted potatoes or a simple arugula salad.
Easy Balsamic Glazed Chicken Dinner Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to ½-inch thickness
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 80 ml ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
- 120 ml ½ cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard optional
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- Handful of fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Pat chicken dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in balsamic vinegar, scraping the bottom of the pan. Whisk in chicken broth, honey, and Dijon mustard.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the glaze has reduced by half and thickened.
- Return the chicken and any juices to the pan. Add the cherry tomatoes.
- Simmer for 3-5 minutes, spooning the glaze over the chicken, until the tomatoes are soft and bursting.
- Turn off the heat, stir in the fresh basil, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Keep a close eye on the glaze as it reduces to prevent it from burning.
- For a Caprese twist, add fresh mozzarella balls at the end.
- Serve with polenta, couscous, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What kind of balsamic vinegar is best for this glaze? You don’t need to use your most expensive, syrupy, aged balsamic vinegar for this recipe (save that for drizzling!). A good quality, mid-range balsamic vinegar from the supermarket will work perfectly, as the cooking process will concentrate its flavors beautifully.
2. My glaze isn’t getting thick. What did I do wrong? Patience is key! The most common issue is not letting it reduce for long enough. It needs to simmer steadily to allow the water content to evaporate, which thickens and concentrates the sauce. If you’re very short on time, you can cheat by adding a small slurry (1 teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon of cold water) to the simmering sauce to help it thicken more quickly.
3. Can I bake this chicken instead of pan-searing it? You can, but the method will be a bit different and you won’t get the same rich pan sauce. I would recommend searing the chicken on the stovetop first to get color, then transferring the skillet to a preheated 200°C (400°F) oven to finish cooking with the sauce and tomatoes. This gives you the best of both worlds.
4. What are the best sides to serve with Balsamic Chicken? This dish is fantastic with anything that can soak up the delicious glaze. My top choices are creamy Parmesan polenta or fluffy mashed potatoes. It’s also wonderful with a simple side of roasted asparagus or a fresh green salad with a lemon vinaigrette to balance the richness.
Ready to Elevate Your Weeknight?
This recipe is proof that you don’t need a lot of time to create something truly special and delicious. It’s one of my favorite quick meals, and I hope it brings a touch of effortless elegance to your dinner table. If you try it, please let me know what you think in the comments below!
For more simple and sophisticated dinner ideas, be sure to follow me on Pinterest and Instagram. I love sharing meals that make every day feel a little more delicious! And this would be absolutely perfect served over my Thai Coconut Curry Chicken Dinner Recipe.