Balsamic Baked Chicken Breast (Printable Version)
Tender chicken breasts marinated in balsamic, garlic, and herbs, baked until juicy and lightly caramelized.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1.5 to 2 lbs)
→ Marinade
02 - 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
03 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
04 - 2 tablespoons honey
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs or a combination of basil, oregano, and thyme
07 - 3/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Garnish (optional)
09 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
10 - Cherry tomatoes, halved
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking dish large enough to accommodate the chicken breasts in a single layer.
02 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, honey, minced garlic, dried Italian herbs, salt, and pepper until well combined.
03 - Transfer the chicken breasts to a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over them, turning to ensure even coating. Marinate for 10 to 20 minutes at room temperature or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
04 - Place the chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish and pour all of the marinade over top. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Baste once with pan juices halfway through cooking.
05 - If desired, broil the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes to caramelize the top. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
06 - Garnish with chopped parsley and halved cherry tomatoes before serving.
# Helpful Hints:
01 -
- This marinade somehow makes basic chicken taste like you spent hours in the kitchen—no joke.
- It cleans up so easily that you'll actually want to make it again after a busy day.
02 -
- Skipping the resting step leads to dry, underwhelming chicken—patience is rewarded.
- Letting the marinade soak in for more than ten minutes makes even supermarket chicken taste restaurant-worthy.
03 -
- If you're pressed for time, marinate at least long enough for the oven to preheat—you'll still get solid flavor.
- Don't walk away during the broiling step; caramelized means delicious, burnt happens fast.