Savory Balsamic Chicken with Garlic Butter Sauce
This Savory Balsamic Chicken dish combines tender, juicy chicken breasts with a rich and tangy garlic butter sauce, making it a delightful option for a light yet satisfying meal. The bold flavors of balsamic vinegar and lemon-pepper seasoning enhance the natural taste of the chicken, while the cherry tomatoes and parsley not only add visual appeal but also a fresh burst of flavor. Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, this dish is easy to prepare and is sure to impress your family and friends.
4
Servings
120
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken breast halves
4 (pounded to 1/4 inch thickness)
lemon-pepper seasoning
2 teaspoons (for seasoning)
extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons (for cooking)
balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup (for sauce)
chicken broth
1/4 cup (for sauce)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
butter
4 teaspoons (to be melted in the sauce)
parsley sprigs
to garnish (fresh)
cherry tomatoes
to garnish (fresh)
Instructions
1
Place the chicken breasts in a zipper-lock bag and use a flat-surface meat mallet to gently pound them to about 1/4 inch thickness, which helps them cook evenly. This method minimizes mess while ensuring the chicken is tender.
2
Sprinkle lemon-pepper seasoning evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts, pressing down lightly to help it adhere.
3
Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Once hot, carefully add the seasoned chicken breasts to the pan.
4
Cook the chicken for about 7 minutes, turning once, until it's golden brown and cooked through. If using chicken tenders, cook for approximately 2-3 minutes per side or until fully cooked.
5
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the frying pan and place it on a warm serving platter, covering it lightly to keep it warm.
6
In a medium bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, chicken broth, and minced garlic. Pour this mixture into the same frying pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Cook over medium-high heat for 2-4 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce and thicken.
7
Stir in the butter until melted and the sauce is smooth.
8
Return the chicken to the pan, allowing it to soak in the flavors of the sauce for a moment before plating.
9
Serve the chicken with the balsamic garlic butter sauce drizzled over the top, garnished with fresh parsley sprigs and cherry tomatoes.
Nutrition Information
4.5g
Fat
4g
Carbs
15g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Balsamic Chicken with Garlic Butter Sauce?
It is a dish of tender, juicy chicken breasts combined with a rich, tangy garlic butter sauce and garnished with cherry tomatoes and parsley.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 120 calories.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are 15 grams of protein per serving.
How much fat is in this chicken dish?
Each serving contains 4.5 grams of fat.
What is the carbohydrate count for this recipe?
There are 4 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
To what thickness should the chicken be pounded?
The chicken breasts should be pounded to about 1/4 inch thickness for even cooking.
What seasoning is used for the chicken?
The chicken is seasoned with 2 teaspoons of lemon-pepper seasoning.
What kind of oil should I use for frying?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil.
How long does it take to cook the chicken breasts?
Cook the chicken for about 7 minutes, turning once, until golden brown and cooked through.
Can I use chicken tenders instead of breasts?
Yes, you can use chicken tenders; they typically cook for approximately 2-3 minutes per side.
What are the main liquids used in the sauce?
The sauce is made using 1/3 cup of balsamic vinegar and 1/4 cup of chicken broth.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe requires 2 minced garlic cloves.
How long should the balsamic sauce reduce?
The mixture should cook over medium-high heat for 2-4 minutes until it reduces and thickens.
When do I add the butter to the sauce?
Stir in the butter after the balsamic and broth mixture has reduced and thickened.
What should be used to garnish the dish?
Garnish the chicken with fresh parsley sprigs and cherry tomatoes.
Is this recipe suitable for weeknight dinners?
Yes, it is specifically noted as being perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
What is the purpose of scraping the bottom of the frying pan?
Scraping the pan helps incorporate the browned bits from the chicken into the sauce for extra flavor.
How much butter is used in the sauce?
The recipe uses 4 teaspoons of butter.
What type of vinegar is essential for this recipe?
Balsamic vinegar is essential for creating the signature tangy flavor.
Should the chicken be returned to the pan after the sauce is done?
Yes, return the chicken to the pan for a moment to allow it to soak in the flavors of the sauce.
How do I keep the chicken warm while making the sauce?
Place the cooked chicken on a warm serving platter and cover it lightly.
Is the lemon-pepper seasoning applied to both sides of the chicken?
Yes, sprinkle the seasoning evenly over both sides of the breasts.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 9 ingredients in total.
Why is a zipper-lock bag used during preparation?
It is used when pounding the chicken to minimize mess while ensuring the meat reaches the desired thickness.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as healthy cooking and light meals.
How do I prepare the garlic?
The 2 garlic cloves should be minced before being added to the sauce.
What temperature should I use to reduce the sauce?
The sauce should be reduced over medium-high heat.
How should the chicken be served?
Serve it with the balsamic garlic butter sauce drizzled over the top along with the garnishes.
What heat setting is used to cook the chicken initially?
The chicken should be cooked in olive oil over medium heat.