One Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies: An Incredible Essential Dinner Recipe
If you’re craving a meal that’s as effortless as it is unforgettable, One Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies: An Incredible Essential Dinner is about to become your new weeknight hero. Succulent chicken breasts roast alongside a rainbow of fresh vegetables, all bathed in a tangy-sweet balsamic glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. It’s colorful, packed with flavor, and requires just a single pan for minimal cleanup — making it the kind of healthy comfort food you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe proves that simple pantry staples can come together to create something truly special. Every ingredient in One Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies: An Incredible Essential Dinner brings its own unique flavor, texture, or pop of color, so don’t skip a single one!
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless, and lean, these are the hearty protein base of the dish and soak up all the wonderful flavors.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Brings a bold, tangy depth that’s the backbone of the irresistible glaze.
- Honey: Adds a balancing sweetness and helps the chicken and veggies caramelize to perfection.
- Olive Oil: Keeps everything juicy and tender while adding a subtle richness.
- Garlic: Freshly minced for that irresistible aroma and a savory kick in every bite.
- Dried Italian Seasoning: An easy way to infuse herby flavor throughout the whole dish.
- Salt: Essential for bringing all the flavors together and enhancing every ingredient.
- Black Pepper: Offers just the right amount of mild heat and earthiness.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Their sweetness intensifies in the oven, providing juicy bursts of flavor.
- Red Bell Pepper: Adds vibrant color and a subtle sweetness to round out the veggies.
- Zucchini: Roasts up tender and soaks in that delicious glaze.
- Red Onion: Turns sweet and mellow as it caramelizes in the oven.
- Baby Carrots: Roasting brings out their natural sugars, making them irresistibly sweet.
- Fresh Basil or Parsley (optional): A final sprinkle of fresh herbs adds brightness and a pretty finishing touch.
How to Make One Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies: An Incredible Essential Dinner
Step 1: Mix the Balsamic Marinade
Start by grabbing a small bowl and whisking together the balsamic vinegar, honey, olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. This flavorful mixture is the heart of One Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies: An Incredible Essential Dinner — it infuses everything with sweet, tangy, and herby notes that make every bite pop.
Step 2: Arrange Chicken and Veggies on the Pan
Lay the chicken breasts out on a large, rimmed baking sheet. Surround them with the halved cherry tomatoes, sliced red bell pepper, zucchini, red onion wedges, and baby carrots. Not only does this look gorgeous, but it also ensures the veggies roast evenly and soak up some of the chicken’s savory juices.
Step 3: Add the Marinade
Pour the balsamic mixture evenly over the chicken and veggies. Use a spoon or a brush to make sure everything gets a generous coating. This is where the magic happens — your kitchen will smell incredible even before it hits the oven!
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Slide the pan into your preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The chicken will cook through, reaching a juicy 165°F inside, while the veggies turn perfectly tender. For that irresistible caramelization, switch to the broiler for the last 2–3 minutes. Watch closely so the glaze bubbles and the vegetables get lightly charred without burning.
Step 5: Rest and Garnish
Once everything is cooked to perfection, let it rest for 5 minutes on the counter. This helps all those delicious juices redistribute through the chicken. Just before serving, sprinkle over some chopped fresh basil or parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
How to Serve One Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies: An Incredible Essential Dinner
Garnishes
Finish your One Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies: An Incredible Essential Dinner with a flourish by scattering fresh basil or parsley over the top. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a few grinds of black pepper can also add a little gourmet flair. If you want a hint of creaminess, a dollop of herbed yogurt or a crumble of tangy feta is wonderful.
Side Dishes
This dish is so satisfying on its own, but a side of fluffy rice, nutty quinoa, or warm crusty bread makes it a complete meal. All those delicious juices are just begging to be sopped up, so don’t be shy about serving something to catch every last drop!
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party feel, slice the chicken and arrange it over the roasted veggies on a big platter, drizzling extra balsamic glaze over the top. You could also tuck everything into warm pita or wraps for an easy meal on the go, or serve over a bed of baby spinach for a hearty salad twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers from your One Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies: An Incredible Essential Dinner, let them cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. They’ll keep perfectly in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days, making them a fantastic option for meal prepping.
Freezing
This dish freezes surprisingly well! Place cooled chicken and veggies in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best texture and flavor.
Reheating
To reheat, arrange the chicken and veggies on a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil, and warm in a 350°F oven until hot (about 10–15 minutes). For a quick lunch, you can also microwave individual portions, but the oven helps keep the veggies from turning mushy.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a bit juicier and work beautifully in One Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies: An Incredible Essential Dinner. Just adjust the cooking time as needed — they may need a few extra minutes depending on their size.
What other vegetables can I add?
Feel free to get creative with what’s in season or what’s in your fridge. Broccoli florets, green beans, asparagus, or even diced sweet potatoes are all delicious additions. Just make sure to cut everything to similar sizes for even roasting.
Is this dish gluten-free and dairy-free?
Yes, One Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies: An Incredible Essential Dinner is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free as written, so it’s perfect for a variety of dietary needs. Always double-check your balsamic vinegar and any added ingredients to be sure.
Can I marinate the chicken ahead of time?
Definitely! Marinating the chicken in the balsamic mixture for a few hours (or even overnight) will deepen the flavors even more. Just keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to assemble and bake.
Do I need to line the baking sheet?
While it’s not strictly necessary, lining your sheet pan with parchment paper or foil makes cleanup even easier — and helps prevent sticking. It’s especially handy if you want to transfer everything to a serving platter without losing any delicious caramelized bits.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so comforting about a dish that’s easy, healthy, and bursting with flavor, and One Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies: An Incredible Essential Dinner never disappoints. Whether you’re feeding family or friends, I promise it’ll be one of those recipes you come back to time and time again. Give it a try, and let yourself fall in love with the magic of one-pan cooking!
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One Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies: An Incredible Essential Dinner Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This One Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies recipe is an incredibly easy and delicious dinner option perfect for busy weeknights. Featuring tender chicken breasts baked with a vibrant mix of fresh vegetables in a sweet and tangy balsamic glaze, this meal is both flavorful and nutritious. It’s a simple, convenient sheet pan dish requiring minimal cleanup, making it an essential go-to dinner for healthy home cooking.
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Marinade
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 red onion, cut into wedges
- 1 cup baby carrots, halved lengthwise
For Garnish (Optional)
- Fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken and vegetables evenly.
- Make the Balsamic Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, honey, olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Prepare the Baking Sheet: Place the 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts on a large rimmed baking sheet in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
- Add the Vegetables: Arrange the halved cherry tomatoes, sliced red bell pepper, sliced zucchini, red onion wedges, and halved baby carrots around the chicken breasts on the baking sheet.
- Coat with Balsamic Mixture: Pour the balsamic glaze evenly over the chicken and vegetables. Use a spoon or brush to coat everything thoroughly to infuse the flavors.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the vegetables are tender.
- Optional Broil for Caramelization: For extra caramelization and a slightly crispy finish, broil the dish for an additional 2–3 minutes at the end, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired, then serve.
Notes
- This recipe is versatile—feel free to swap or add other vegetables such as broccoli, green beans, or asparagus based on your preference.
- For enhanced flavor and to save time, marinate the chicken in the balsamic mixture ahead of time, up to a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
- Serve this dish alongside rice, quinoa, or crusty bread to make a complete and satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with vegetables
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
