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. 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.
Notes on strawberry balsamic chicken:
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. 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. It has similar flavors and they paired really well for a super fresh and tasty spring dinner. I hope you have a wonderful week my friends! Happy cooking! XO, Kathryn P.S. You may also enjoy easy balsamic chicken or this hands off slow cooker balsamic chicken. Or browse all of my easy chicken dinner recipes for more inspiration!
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.
