How to Make the Perfect Balsamic Chicken
Italian-American · Easy · 30 min · 4 servings
This balsamic chicken recipe delivers juicy pan-seared chicken breasts glazed in a rich tangy balsamic reduction that makes for a perfect healthy dinner any night of the week. Whether you are looking for easy 30 minute meals or searching how to make balsamic glazed chicken from scratch with simple pantry ingredients this recipe is the answer.
Why this recipe works
This Balsamic Chicken recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 30 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 340 calories with 38g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 8 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 4 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 0.5 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Season the Chicken
Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear. Season both sides evenly with salt black pepper and dried Italian seasoning pressing the spices gently into the surface of the meat for maximum flavor adherence.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and sear without moving them for 5 to 6 minutes per side until a deep golden crust forms and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate tented with foil.
Step 3: Make the Balsamic Glaze
Reduce heat to medium and in the same skillet add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in balsamic vinegar and honey and stir to combine scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Allow the glaze to simmer and reduce for 4 to 5 minutes until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Step 4: Glaze the Chicken
Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet and spoon the balsamic glaze generously over each piece. Cook together for 2 more minutes turning the chicken once to coat all sides evenly and allow the glaze to cling and caramelize slightly onto the surface of the chicken.
Step 5: Rest and Serve
Transfer the glazed chicken to a serving platter and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing to retain all the juices. Drizzle any remaining glaze from the pan over the top and serve alongside roasted vegetables mashed potatoes or a fresh green salad.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- balsamic vinegar → red wine vinegar with an extra teaspoon of honey for a similar tangy sweet profile
- honey → maple syrup or brown sugar for an equally rich and slightly different sweetness
- chicken breasts → boneless chicken thighs for more moisture and richer flavor with the same cook time
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not patting the chicken dry before seasoning which prevents proper browning and results in steaming instead of searing
- Cooking the balsamic glaze over too high heat which causes it to burn and turn bitter very quickly
- Cutting into the chicken immediately after cooking which releases all the internal juices and results in dry meat
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 340 calories, 38g protein, 12g carbs, 14g fat, 1g fiber.
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