Roasted Balsamic Chicken with Bursting Baby Tomatoes: A Flavorful & Easy Dinner

This roasted balsamic chicken with baby tomatoes recipe is a symphony of flavors. The tangy balsamic glaze caramelizes beautifully on the chicken, while the baby tomatoes burst in your mouth, releasing their sweet and juicy essence. This dish is incredibly easy to make, requires minimal ingredients, and is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a casual weekend gathering.

## Why You’ll Love This Recipe

* **Flavorful:** The balsamic glaze creates a rich and complex flavor that complements the chicken and tomatoes perfectly.
* **Easy to Make:** With just a few simple steps, you can have a delicious and impressive meal on the table in under an hour.
* **Minimal Ingredients:** This recipe uses pantry staples, making it a convenient option for busy weeknights.
* **Healthy:** Chicken is a lean protein source, and the tomatoes are packed with vitamins and antioxidants.
* **Versatile:** You can easily customize this recipe to your liking by adding other vegetables or herbs.
* **Visually Appealing:** The vibrant colors of the chicken and tomatoes make this dish a feast for the eyes.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

* **Chicken:** 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6-8 ounces each)
* **Baby Tomatoes:** 1 pint (about 12 ounces), halved
* **Balsamic Vinegar:** 1/4 cup
* **Olive Oil:** 2 tablespoons
* **Garlic:** 2 cloves, minced
* **Dried Oregano:** 1 teaspoon
* **Dried Basil:** 1 teaspoon
* **Salt:** 1/2 teaspoon, or to taste
* **Black Pepper:** 1/4 teaspoon, or to taste
* **Optional Garnishes:** Fresh basil leaves, balsamic glaze drizzle

## Equipment You’ll Need

* Baking sheet
* Large bowl
* Small bowl
* Whisk
* Cutting board
* Knife

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to make this delightful roasted balsamic chicken with baby tomatoes:

### 1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. This also helps prevent the chicken from sticking to the pan.

### 2. Prepare the Balsamic Glaze

In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. This balsamic glaze is the heart of the recipe, infusing the chicken and tomatoes with its tangy and savory flavors. Make sure the garlic is finely minced to distribute its flavor evenly.

### 3. Marinate the Chicken

In a large bowl, place the chicken breasts. Pour about half of the balsamic glaze over the chicken, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Toss to combine. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes, at room temperature. The longer it marinates, the more flavorful the chicken will be. If you have more time, you can marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Remember to bring the chicken to room temperature before cooking for even cooking.

### 4. Arrange Tomatoes on Baking Sheet

While the chicken is marinating, spread the halved baby tomatoes evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle the tomatoes with a tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Roasting the tomatoes brings out their natural sweetness and creates a delicious sauce.

### 5. Place Chicken on Baking Sheet

Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it on top of the tomatoes on the baking sheet. Try to arrange the chicken pieces so they are not overcrowding the pan. This will allow the chicken to cook evenly and develop a nice crust.

### 6. Drizzle Remaining Glaze

Drizzle the remaining balsamic glaze over the chicken and tomatoes. This ensures that everything is evenly coated and will caramelize beautifully during roasting.

### 7. Roast the Chicken and Tomatoes

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to a safe temperature. The tomatoes should be softened and bursting. Check the chicken periodically during cooking; if the tomatoes are browning too quickly, you can loosely tent the baking sheet with foil.

### 8. Rest and Serve

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful chicken. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, if desired. Serve immediately.

## Tips for the Best Roasted Balsamic Chicken

* **Use High-Quality Balsamic Vinegar:** The quality of your balsamic vinegar will significantly impact the flavor of the dish. Opt for a thicker, more aged balsamic vinegar for a richer, more intense flavor.
* **Don’t Overcook the Chicken:** Overcooked chicken can be dry and tough. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to the correct internal temperature.
* **Marinate for Flavor:** Marinating the chicken for at least 15 minutes allows the flavors to penetrate the meat, resulting in a more flavorful dish. The longer you marinate, the better!
* **Use Fresh Ingredients:** Fresh garlic and herbs will enhance the flavor of the dish. If you don’t have fresh herbs, dried herbs can be substituted, but use about half the amount.
* **Don’t Overcrowd the Pan:** Overcrowding the baking sheet will steam the chicken and tomatoes instead of roasting them. Make sure to leave enough space between each piece.
* **Adjust Seasoning to Taste:** Taste the balsamic glaze before marinating the chicken and adjust the seasoning to your liking. You may need to add more salt, pepper, or garlic.
* **Rest Before Slicing:** Allowing the chicken to rest for a few minutes before slicing will allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful chicken.

## Variations and Substitutions

This recipe is incredibly versatile, and you can easily customize it to your liking.

* **Vegetables:** Add other vegetables to the baking sheet, such as bell peppers, zucchini, onions, or asparagus. These will roast alongside the chicken and tomatoes, adding more flavor and nutrients to the dish. Consider adding them halfway through the cooking time, depending on their cooking time, to avoid overcooking them.
* **Herbs:** Experiment with different herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, or parsley. Fresh herbs are always best, but dried herbs can also be used.
* **Cheese:** Sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese or crumbled feta cheese over the chicken and tomatoes during the last few minutes of roasting. This adds a salty and savory element to the dish.
* **Sweetener:** If you prefer a sweeter glaze, you can add a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup to the balsamic glaze.
* **Spicy:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the balsamic glaze for a little heat.
* **Chicken Thighs:** Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts. Chicken thighs are more flavorful and remain more moist during cooking.
* **Cherry Tomatoes:** If you can’t find baby tomatoes, you can use cherry tomatoes instead.
* **Balsamic Glaze:** For a more intense balsamic flavor, drizzle the chicken and tomatoes with a store-bought balsamic glaze (balsamic reduction) after roasting.

## Serving Suggestions

This roasted balsamic chicken with baby tomatoes is delicious served with a variety of side dishes.

* **Pasta:** Serve over your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti, penne, or linguine. Toss the pasta with the roasted tomatoes and balsamic glaze for a simple and flavorful sauce.
* **Rice:** Serve with rice, such as white rice, brown rice, or quinoa. The rice will soak up the delicious balsamic glaze.
* **Potatoes:** Serve with roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, or sweet potato fries.
* **Salad:** Serve with a simple green salad or a Caprese salad.
* **Bread:** Serve with crusty bread for dipping in the balsamic glaze.
* **Vegetables:** Serve with steamed or roasted vegetables, such as broccoli, green beans, or carrots.

## Make-Ahead Tips

* You can prepare the balsamic glaze ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
* You can marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours.
* You can chop the vegetables ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

## Storage Instructions

* Store leftover roasted balsamic chicken and tomatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
* Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.

## Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate)

* Calories: 350
* Protein: 35g
* Fat: 15g
* Carbohydrates: 15g
* Fiber: 3g
* Sugar: 8g

*Note: Nutritional information is approximate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.*

## Recipe Card

**Roasted Balsamic Chicken with Baby Tomatoes**

**Yields:** 4 servings
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Cook time:** 25 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6-8 ounces each)
* 1 pint (about 12 ounces) baby tomatoes, halved
* 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1 teaspoon dried basil
* 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
* Optional garnishes: Fresh basil leaves, balsamic glaze drizzle

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
3. In a large bowl, place chicken breasts. Pour half of the balsamic glaze over the chicken and toss to combine. Marinate for at least 15 minutes.
4. Spread halved baby tomatoes evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
5. Remove chicken from marinade and place on top of tomatoes on the baking sheet.
6. Drizzle remaining balsamic glaze over chicken and tomatoes.
7. Roast for 20-25 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Tomatoes should be softened and bursting.
8. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, if desired.

Enjoy this easy and delicious Roasted Balsamic Chicken with Bursting Baby Tomatoes! This recipe is sure to become a family favorite.