Description
This Balsamic Chicken Marinade recipe features a tangy and flavorful blend of balsamic vinegar, olive oil, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, garlic, and Italian seasoning, perfectly complementing tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The marinade enhances the chicken’s juiciness and depth of flavor, making it ideal for grilling, skillet cooking, or baking. Quick to prepare and versatile in cooking methods, this recipe is perfect for a delicious and easy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Marinade Ingredients
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1-2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional, to offset the acidity)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced (or more to taste)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste (about 1 - 1.5 teaspoons salt recommended)
Main Ingredient
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Instructions
- Make marinade: In a measuring jug, whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Marinate chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a Ziploc bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring every piece is fully coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish tightly and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, or up to overnight for deeper flavor.
- Remove excess marinade: Take the chicken out of the marinade, discarding the bag and any leftover marinade to avoid contamination.
- Cook chicken by desired method: You can choose to grill, pan-sear, or bake the chicken.
- Grilling: Preheat the grill to high heat. Place chicken on the hot grill and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Skillet: Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 8-10 minutes on each side until cooked through and nicely browned, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Baking: Preheat the oven to 410°F. Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish and bake for 15-25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Notes
- Marinating time can be extended up to overnight for more intense flavor.
- Adjust the amount of brown sugar if you prefer a sweeter marinade or want to balance the vinegar more.
- Always cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure it is safe to eat.
- Leftover cooked chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Use fresh garlic for best flavor, but garlic powder can be substituted in a pinch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. ⅓ pound chicken)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg