Balsamic Chicken

Balsamic chicken is the kind of dish that’s near-impossible to get wrong. Juicy chicken breasts are marinated in flavorful balsamic vinegar, seasoned with a medley of fresh herbs, garlic and lemon zest and then grilled to perfection. You’ll be wowed by how tasty this chicken turns out, especially considering how easy it is to make.

Ingredients for Balsamic Chicken

• Balsamic vinegar: Balsamic vinegar encourages the chicken to stay juicy and creates a tangy, salty and slightly sweet marinade that pairs perfectly with crispy grilled chicken.
• Extra-virgin olive oil: Olive oil helps infuse the chicken with moisture and flavor.
• Seasonings: We use a mixture of fresh basil, fresh chives, lemon zest, garlic, salt and pepper to season balsamic chicken. Feel free to get creative with the seasonings if you have other spices on hand (though we don’t recommend skipping the lemon zest, as it helps to cut the sweetness).
• Boneless skinless chicken thighs: You can replace the chicken thighs with breasts. But keep in mind that chicken breasts cook faster than thighs so you’ll need to adjust accordingly.

Directions

Step 1: Combine the ingredients

Abbey Littlejohn for Taste of Home

Whisk together all ingredients except the chicken. In a bowl, toss the chicken with 1/3 cup of the vinegar mixture; let stand for 10 minutes.

Step 2: Grill the chicken

Abbey Littlejohn for Taste of Home

Cover and grill the chicken over medium heat or broil it 4 inches from the heat until a thermometer reads 170°F, about six to eight minutes per side. Drizzle with the remaining vinegar mixture before serving.

Abbey Littlejohn for Taste of Home

Balsamic Chicken Recipe Variations

• Add roasted cherry tomatoes: We love adding roasted tomatoes on top of balsamic chicken; the extra acidity and sweetness infuse this dish with even more flavor.
• Serve it with pasta: This makes for a wonderful base for pasta sauce, especially if you add cherry tomatoes to the balsamic chicken. Cut the chicken into thin slices and finish the pasta with a bit more olive oil, fresh basil and parmesan cheese.

How to Store Balsamic Chicken

Store any leftover balsamic chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Can you make balsamic chicken ahead of time?

You can certainly marinate the chicken ahead of time. Allow the meat to sit in the marinade in the fridge for a few hours before grilling to intensify the flavors.

Balsamic Chicken Recipe Tips

Abbey Littlejohn for Taste of Home

How do I know when my chicken is done?

This depends on whether you’re cooking chicken thighs (as the recipe calls for) or breasts. Boneless skinless thighs generally need about seven to eight minutes per side, whereas breasts need about five to six minutes per side. Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure your chicken has reached the safe minimum temperature of 165˚.

Can I bake this chicken recipe instead of grilling it?

Yes, you can, but we’d recommend following a different recipe. See here for our delicious baked balsamic chicken recipe.

What pairs well with balsamic chicken?

We’d recommend serving this recipe with a simple leafy green salad or wedge salad and some form of starch, like mashed potatoes or rice pilaf. The bold flavors in this dish call for a more subtle side.