Balsamic Marinated Chicken Breasts
Juicy, marinated balsamic chicken breasts baked or grilled to perfection! This easy chicken recipe is full of flavor and perfect for weeknight dinners.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 1 to 1.5 pounds
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic cloves minced
- ½ tablespoon dried oregano
- ½ tablespoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- olive oil cooking spray
- balsamic glaze for topping, optional
Instructions
- Prep. Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag; set aside.
- Make the marinade. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
- Marinate. Add the marinade to the chicken breasts; seal the bag and refrigerate for 1 hour, or up to 12 hours.
To Bake
- Prep. Preheat the oven to 425˚F. Spray a baking dish with cooking oil.
- Dry the chicken. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the remaining marinade. Lightly pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
- Bake. Transfer the chicken breasts to the baking dish, lightly spray them with olive oil cooking spray, and bake, uncovered, for 22 to 24 minutes, or until the internal temperature registers at 165˚F. Start checking for doneness at the 20-minute mark.
- Finish and serve. Remove the balsamic chicken from the oven and let it rest for 8 to 10 minutes before topping with balsamic glaze and serving.
To Grill
- Prep the grill. Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high; about 425˚F to 450˚F. Brush the grill grates with oil.
- Grill. Grill the marinated chicken breasts for 5 to 8 minutes per side, or until their internal temperature reaches 165˚F. Thicker chicken breasts will need more time to cook.
- Finish and serve. Remove the balsamic chicken from the grill and rest for 8 to 10 minutes. Top with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and serve.
Notes
- Remember to let your chicken rest off the heat for about 8 to 10 minutes to absorb flavors and retain juiciness.
- Soak your chicken in the marinade for at least an hour for a tastier, juicier dish.
- Always check that the internal cooked temperature reaches 165°F, especially for thicker chicken breasts, using a meat thermometer.
Nutrition
Calories: 239kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 717mg | Potassium: 455mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 34IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg
