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Simple and Juicy Balsamic Chicken with Flavorful Marinade Recipe


  • Author: Isabella Hayes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes to 1 hour
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Omnivore

Description

🍗 Enjoy a juicy and flavorful Simple and Juicy Balsamic Chicken with a rich, tangy marinade that brings out the best in your chicken.
🥗 This versatile recipe offers multiple cooking methods and pairs perfectly with sautéed vegetables for a complete, wholesome meal.


Ingredients

Scale

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons balsamic glaze or ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional)
1 teaspoon honey
Juice of 1 lemon
3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon sweet paprika
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard (optional)
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos (optional)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
6 to 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1 ½ to 2 pounds) or chicken breasts (about 2 to 3 breasts, 6 oz each)
1 to 1 ½ pounds firm vegetables such as baby carrots, baby Yukon potatoes (halved), Brussels sprouts (trimmed and halved), or broccoli florets (optional)
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Fresh chopped parsley for garnish (optional)


Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic glaze or vinegar, tomato paste (if using), honey, lemon juice, Dijon mustard (if using), soy sauce (if using), garlic, thyme/oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper until combined.
2. Pat chicken dry, season with salt and pepper, add to marinade and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours, or at least 15 minutes.
3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add firm vegetables, season lightly with salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 12 minutes until lightly browned and crisp-tender. Remove vegetables and set aside.
4. For oven baking: Preheat oven to 425°F. Place chicken and marinade in baking dish or ovenproof skillet. Bake thighs 25-30 minutes or breasts 18-35 minutes until internal temperature is 165°F.
For stove-top skillet: Heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in skillet. Sear chicken over medium-high heat 6-8 minutes per side until golden and releasing easily. Pour marinade or glaze over chicken, reduce heat, and cook until sauce thickens and chicken reaches 165°F.
For grilling: Preheat grill to medium-high. Grill breasts 5-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
5. If cooked separately, return vegetables to skillet with chicken for a minute to warm and combine flavors.
6. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve.

Notes

⏰ Marinate at least 2 hours for deep flavor; shorter time still improves taste.
🌡️ Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches safe 165°F internal temperature.
🥩 Pound chicken breasts to even thickness to ensure uniform cooking and prevent drying out.

  • Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
  • Marinate: 15 minutes to 4 hours
  • Cook Time: 25-35 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Marinating and Baking/Stove-top/Grilling
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh or breast
  • Calories: 266-311
  • Sugar: 3-7 g
  • Sodium: 350-936 mg
  • Fat: 12-15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.4-3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 5-10.5 g
  • Fiber: 1-2.3 g
  • Protein: 27-39 g

Keywords: balsamic chicken, juicy chicken, flavorful marinade, healthy dinner