This easy strawberry balsamic chicken with mozzarella is a delicious and fresh dinner recipe with sweet strawberries, juicy chicken and melty mozzarella cheese!
Today is a rough re-entry for me after our fabulous spring break week.
We took the kids (ages 6 and 4) to Disney World for the first time, along with my in-laws, and had the most magical time! It was everything I hoped it would be and I know we’ll be talking about and cherishing this trip for years to come. 💖
Here’s a few quick photos from our trip:
We also went to the beach in Florida for a few days and it was so nice to have some down-time and just relax after our busy days at Disney. We played at the pool, on the beach and just chilled at the condo too.
But now it’s back to work and back to reality (boo!), so let’s get on to the delicious food!
I recently shared my easy mozzarella baked chicken, which is just 6 ingredients and ready in 25 minutes. Weeknight dinner, I’m looking at you!
Today’s recipe is sort-of similar but a bit more sophisticated.
Strawberry balsamic chicken with mozzarella has the same melty mozzarella cheese on top, but it’s also got some quick caramelized onions, sweet fresh strawberries, balsamic vinegar and bit of basil to finish it off.
It’s like a strawberry caprese chicken dish, instead of the regular tomato caprese, and it’s perfect for spring and summer when strawberries are in season.
This dinner is light and fresh, particularly with the basil sprinkled on top, but seriously scrumptious and so satisfying with all that gooey melty cheese over the top.
Lots of layers of deliciousness packed in here!
And oooh, the sauce! You’ll definitely want some extra sauce drizzled over this when you serve it. 👌
A few notes on this strawberry balsamic chicken with mozzarella:
- I wrote the recipe below for a shortcut way to do caramelized onions, but if you have time to make the real deal, you should definitely go for it.
- I use honey to sweeten up my onions (this is part of the cheater’s version of caramelized onions) but sugar would work too.
- The strawberry slices in this recipe break down in the cooking and turn a little brown from the balsamic vinegar. I think it’s delicious – sort of becomes syrupy and part of the sauce – but if you want yours to maintain their color and shape a bit more, you can add the strawberries when you top the chicken with the mozzarella cheese and they won’t cook down quite as much.
- I’ve also made strawberry balsamic chicken thighs with this same recipe, so you can definitely substitute some boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer. Use a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken is cooked through. I love this instant read thermometer and you’ll want the chicken to be at 165 F.
I served the strawberry mozzarella chicken here 👆 with a farro, kale and strawberry salad. Similar flavors and they paired really well for a super fresh and tasty spring dinner. (The recipe for that farro salad is coming soon!)
I hope you have a wonderful week my friends!
Happy cooking!
XO,
Kathryn
P.S. You may also enjoy these recipes:
- Easy balsamic chicken (Family Food on the Table)
- Chicken breasts with jalapeño cheese sauce (Family Food on the Table)
- Balsamic lemon chicken (Belly Full)
- Balsamic chicken and strawberry quesadilla(Your Homebased Mom)
- Slow cooker balsamic chicken (Family Food on the Table)
Or browse all of my easy chicken dinner recipes for more inspiration!
Strawberry balsamic chicken with mozzarella
Strawberry balsamic chicken with mozzarella is a delicious and fresh easy dinner recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon honey (see notes)
- 4 (6 oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium chicken broth (or water)
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- 4 1/4-inch slices fresh mozzarella
For serving
- Fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
Heat 1/2 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add sliced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes. Add honey and season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium and cook another 6-8 minutes, until onions are softened.
Return the pan to medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and black pepper and add to pan. Sear chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side.
Add garlic, balsamic vinegar and chicken broth and stir to combine. Add sliced strawberries then cover the pan, reduce heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes.
Add a slice of mozzarella cheese on top of each chicken breast, then recover the pan and cook for another 5 minutes, until cheese is melted and chicken breasts are cooked through.
Serve chicken with strawberries and onions and extra sauce spooned over each chicken breast.
Recipe Notes
I wrote the recipe below for a shortcut way to do caramelized onions, but if you have time to make the real deal, you should definitely go for it.
I use honey to sweeten up my onions (this is part of the cheater’s version of caramelized onions) but sugar would work too.
The strawberry slices in this recipe break down in the cooking and turn a little brown from the balsamic vinegar. I think it’s delicious - sort of becomes syrupy and part of the sauce - but if you want yours to maintain their color and shape a bit more, you can add the strawberries when you top the chicken with the mozzarella cheese and they won’t cook down quite as much.
I’ve also made strawberry balsamic chicken thighs with this same recipe, so you can definitely substitute some boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer. Use a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken is cooked through. I love this instant read thermometer and you’ll want the chicken to be at 165 F.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | |
| Amount Per Serving | As Served |
| Calories 297kcal Calories from fat 87 | |
| % Daily Value | |
| Total Fat 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat 2g | 10% |
| Transfat 0g | |
| Cholesterol 130mg | 43% |
| Sodium 626mg | 26% |
| Carbohydrate 10g | 3% |
| Dietary Fiber 2g | 8% |
| Sugars 6g | |
| Protein 41g | |
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:
| Calories | 2000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | Less than | 65g |
| Sat Fat | Less than | 25g |
| Cholesterol | Less than | 300mg |
| Sodium | Less than | 2,400mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 300g | |
| Dietary Fiber | 25g | |
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