Balsamic Chicken & Asparagus
A delicious and healthy one-pan meal featuring tender chicken cutlets and crisp asparagus, all coated in a vibrant, tangy-sweet balsamic glaze. Perfect for a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 medium chicken cutlets (about 1 lb total)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb asparagus
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley
Instructions
- Pat chicken cutlets dry and season evenly with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper on both sides.
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Add asparagus to the same skillet. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender-crisp. If needed, add a splash of water to deglaze the pan.
- In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), and Dijon mustard.
- Pour the balsamic glaze into the skillet with the asparagus. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring, until the glaze slightly thickens and coats the asparagus.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, tossing gently to coat both the chicken and asparagus with the thickened glaze. Cook for another 1-2 minutes to heat everything through.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar for 30 minutes before cooking. Add cherry tomatoes or sliced bell peppers in the last 10 minutes for more color and variety. Serve with quinoa or rice for a complete meal.