Description
Savory balsamic chicken dances with rich, tangy flavors that elevate weeknight dinners from ordinary to extraordinary. Marinated tender chicken breasts glazed in a luscious balsamic reduction create a Mediterranean-inspired meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Marinades and Seasonings:
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant marinade by whisking balsamic vinegar, olive oil, minced garlic, honey, Dijon mustard, oregano, basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
- Transfer chicken breasts into a sealed container or ziplock bag, then thoroughly coat with the prepared marinade. Refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing flavors to penetrate deeply, with a maximum marination time of 4 hours.
- Heat a spacious skillet or grill pan over medium-high temperature, ensuring the cooking surface is evenly warmed and slightly glossy.
- Extract chicken from marinade, letting excess liquid drip off. Place chicken onto the hot cooking surface, allowing each side to develop a rich caramelized exterior for approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Verify doneness by checking that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C), which guarantees safe and perfectly cooked meat.
- Transfer chicken from heat and permit a brief resting period of 5 minutes to redistribute internal juices and maintain optimal tenderness.
- Slice chicken against the grain and embellish with freshly chopped parsley, presenting a visually appealing and aromatic dish ready to serve warm.
Notes
- Marinating magic happens when you allow enough time for the flavors to deeply penetrate the chicken, so aim for at least 2 hours for maximum taste absorption.
- Avoid cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards and utensils when handling raw chicken, and always wash hands thoroughly after preparation.
- For a low-carb version, swap honey with a sugar-free alternative like stevia or monk fruit sweetener to maintain the dish’s signature sweet-tangy profile.
- Create a foolproof doneness check by using a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165F, preventing both undercooking and drying out the meat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 215 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 325 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg