Prep Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4

Nutrition Features:

Sesame-Free

Nut-Free

Soy-Free

High-Protein

Egg-Free

Gluten-Free

Quick Meat

Learn Whether Chicken Cutlets are Nutritious? Chicken cutlets are considered healthy because they are simply a sliced chicken breast, often thinning it out by pounding. Chicken breast is a lean protein that is commonly included in balanced diets, like the Mediterranean diet. Besides being a good source of protein, chicken breast offers essential micronutrients such as choline, vitamin B12, thiamin, vitamin B6, zinc, and pantothenic acid (vitamin B5).

Is Including Cherry Tomatoes Good for You? While some individuals avoid tomatoes due to their lectin content, they are rich in vital nutrients like vitamins C and K, and antioxidants such as lycopene, beta carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.

Combined, tomatoes provide several health benefits that promote good skin, eye, and heart health.

Is this Meal Gluten-Free? Yes, this dish does not involve any gluten-containing ingredients. However, it is recommended to always check labels and ingredients of pre-made sauces, like balsamic glaze, to ensure they are gluten-free.

Useful Tips from the Test Kitchen

What are Chicken Cutlets? Chicken cutlets are basically slices of meat taken from boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You can find them in the meat department of your local grocery store or make your own by carefully slicing a boneless chicken breast horizontally into two equal pieces.

Cover the chicken with plastic wrap and pound it using a meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy skillet until it becomes ¼-inch-thick cutlets.

FAQs

How is Balsamic Vinegar Different from Balsamic Glaze? When a recipe calls for balsamic vinegar, it usually refers to the regular variety available in grocery stores, priced at around $4 per bottle. It is a sweet and tangy mixture made with wine vinegar and grape must, with or without caramel coloring. On the other hand, authentic balsamic vinegar from Modena, Italy, made solely with grape must, can take 12 to 25 years to produce. It is sold in high-end specialty stores or online, with prices reaching hundreds of dollars for a bottle.

Authentic balsamic vinegar is usually used as a finishing touch for drizzling over meats and vegetables. In contrast, balsamic glaze is produced by simmering balsamic vinegar until it thickens into a syrupy consistency. Like authentic balsamic vinegar, it is used as a finishing touch to drizzle on meats and vegetables, and is also a great accompaniment for strawberries and vanilla ice cream.

What Side Dishes Pair Well with Chicken Bruschetta? We recommend serving a simple salad or steamed green vegetables, prepared in advance, as a side dish. For a starch, couscous is always a popular choice, or you can opt for a healthy whole grain of your liking.

Ingredients

1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced into quarters

4 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil, divided

1 tablespoon finely chopped shallot

1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil, plus additional leaves for garnish (if desired)

2 teaspoons red wine vinegar

1 medium clove of garlic, finely chopped

3/4 teaspoon of ground pepper, divided

1/4 teaspoon of salt, divided

4 (4-ounce) chicken cutlets

4 (1-ounce) slices of part-skim low-moisture mozzarella cheese

4 teaspoons of balsamic glaze

Instructions

Start by placing the tomatoes in a small bowl and add 1 tablespoon of oil, shallot, basil, red wine vinegar, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon of salt.

Mix well and set aside.

Next, pat the chicken dry using paper towels and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of pepper and 1/8 teaspoon of salt.

In a large skillet, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil over high heat. Add the chicken and cook without stirring until golden brown on one side, approximately 3 minutes. Flip the cutlets, place a slice of cheese on each one, cover the pan with a lid or baking sheet, and cook until the cheese is melted and a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken reads 165°F, which should take about 1 minute and 30 seconds.

Transfer the chicken to individual plates or a serving platter. Top each piece with the prepared tomato mixture and drizzle with balsamic glaze. Garnish with basil leaves, if desired. Enjoy!