Balsamic Marinated Chicken

This tender balsamic marinated chicken is going to become your new favorite weeknight dinner! Anyone who loves juicy, flavorful chicken will absolutely adore this recipe. The best part is it’s incredibly healthy and fits so many different eating styles.

Recipe Details

Timing & Servings: Cook Time: 5 minutes, Additional Time: 1 hour 20 minutes, Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes, Serves: 4 people.

Nutrition Profile: Low-Carb, Diabetes-Friendly, Dairy-Free, Low-Sodium, Heart-Healthy, High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Low-Calorie.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 169 Calories, 7g Fat, 1g Carbs, 23g Protein.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Extra-virgin olive oil: You’ll need ¼ cup of good quality olive oil. This creates the base of our marinade and keeps the chicken super moist while cooking.

Balsamic vinegar: ¼ cup of balsamic vinegar gives that amazing sweet and tangy flavor. Don’t worry about getting the expensive stuff – regular balsamic works perfectly!

Garlic: 2 cloves minced up nice and fine. Fresh garlic makes such a difference, but you can use ½ teaspoon garlic powder if that’s what you have.

Italian seasoning: 1 tablespoon of this herb blend adds so much flavor. You can make your own with dried basil, oregano, and thyme if you prefer.

Salt: 1 teaspoon of salt helps all the flavors come together beautifully.

Black pepper: ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper adds just the right amount of heat.

Chicken breast: 1 to 1¼ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast. Look for pieces that are about 4-5 ounces each for perfect portions.

How to Make Balsamic Marinated Chicken

Step 1: Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Keep whisking until everything looks well combined and smooth.

Step 2: Place your chicken in a shallow dish or a gallon-sized zip bag. Pour that delicious marinade right over the chicken. Pop it in the fridge for at least 1 hour, but up to 12 hours works great too.

Step 3: When you’re ready to cook, take the chicken out and pat it completely dry with paper towels. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat or set your oven rack in the upper third and turn on the broiler.

Step 4: To grill: Oil your grill grates with a paper towel and tongs. Grill the chicken for 4-8 minutes per side until it reaches 165°F inside.

Step 5: To broil: Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray. Place chicken on the foil and broil 10-15 minutes total, turning once, until it hits 165°F.

Easy and Quick Balsamic Marinated Chicken Version

Short on time? No worries at all! You can marinate this chicken for just 30 minutes and it’ll still taste amazing. Just pound the chicken to about ½ inch thick first so the marinade gets in there faster. The flavor won’t be quite as deep, but it’s still absolutely delicious and saves you time on busy nights.

Serving Ideas

This balsamic chicken is practically a complete meal on its own! I love serving it with some grilled zucchini and bell peppers for a colorful, healthy plate. Roasted sweet potatoes or a simple green salad with cherry tomatoes also pair beautifully. The chicken is so flavorful that simple sides really let it shine.

Storage

Store leftover chicken in the fridge for up to 4 days in a covered container. To reheat, just pop it in the microwave for 30-60 seconds or warm it in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. The marinade can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days before using.

Substitutions

No balsamic vinegar? Red wine vinegar works great too! You can swap the Italian seasoning for dried herbs like oregano, basil, or thyme. Chicken thighs work wonderfully instead of breasts – just cook them a bit longer. If you’re out of fresh garlic, use ½ teaspoon garlic powder instead.

Pro Tips

• Perfect portions: If your chicken breasts are huge, cut them in half before marinating for better flavor and even cooking.
• Safety first: Always use a meat thermometer to check that internal temp hits 165°F.
• Grill hack: Oil your grill grates with a paper towel held by tongs to prevent sticking.
• Save those tenders: Remove chicken tenders and freeze them for quick stir-fries later!

FAQs

Can I marinate this chicken overnight?

You bet! This chicken can marinate for up to 12 hours safely. The longer it sits, the more flavor it picks up. Just don’t go longer than 12 hours or the acid might start making the texture weird.

What if I don’t have a grill?

No problem at all! The broiler method works just as well and gives you that same nice caramelized outside. You can also pan-sear it in a hot skillet for about 6-7 minutes per side.

Is this recipe really low-carb?

Sure is! With only 1 gram of carbs per serving, this fits perfectly into low-carb and keto eating plans. The marinade has minimal carbs, so you’re good to go.

Can I use chicken thighs instead?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs work beautifully with this marinade. Just cook them a little longer – about 6-10 minutes per side on the grill since they’re a bit thicker.

I hope you love this balsamic marinated chicken as much as my family does! It’s become such a go-to recipe in our house. Let me know how yours turns out – I’d love to hear about any fun variations you try!