Balsamic Bruschetta Baked Chicken

My sister-in-law sent me this recipe to try. I had chicken strips instead of the boneless chicken breasts it called for. And I added a few extras because I just can't seem to leave a recipe alone ; )
It was 3 thumbs up in our house!

Ingredients:
850g (1  1/2 - 2 lbs) boneless chicken strips
2 tbsps olive oil
1 tsp dry oregano
1/2 tsp dry basil
1/2 - 1 tsp herbed sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1  1/2 tbsps garlic, minced (divided)
2 cups tomatoes (large quartered, cherry or cocktail halved)
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 tbsps capers
fresh thyme sprigs
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp brown sugar
3/4 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella
2 tbsps fresh parsley and zest of 1/2 lemon to garnish

Grease a 9 X 13 baking dish. Toss the chicken with olive oil and place in a somewhat single layer in the dish. Mix the oregano, basil, salt, pepper and half of the minced garlic together and sprinkle over the chicken.

Arrange the tomatoes, onion, celery and capers on and around the chicken. And lay a few sprigs of thyme here and there.

Whisk together the balsamic vinegar, brown sugar and remaining half of the minced garlic. Pour over chicken and bake at 425 F for 20 minutes.

Top with the shredded mozzarella and broil 4-5 minutes.

Serve garnished with chopped parsley and fresh lemon zest.
Try it, you'll love it!

Serves 6

Adapted from: http://skinnyrecipes.net/2019/05/06/balsamic-baked-chicken-breast-with-mozzarella-cheese/