Balsamic Baked Chicken Breast Recipe
This Balsamic Baked Chicken Breast recipe is a simple, flavorful, and healthy dinner option featuring tender chicken breasts marinated in a tangy balsamic vinegar mixture with herbs and honey, then baked to juicy perfection. It’s easy to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping.
- Author: Ava
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes (excluding marinating time)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Marinade
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
- Prepare the marinade: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, minced garlic, dried oregano, and dried thyme.
- Mix marinade: Whisk the ingredients together until well blended, ensuring the honey dissolves completely.
- Season marinade: Add salt and pepper to taste and mix well.
- Marinate chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish.
- Coat chicken: Pour the marinade over the chicken ensuring each piece is well coated. Seal the bag tightly or cover the dish with plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate: Refrigerate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, preferably 2 to 4 hours for best flavor infusion.
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Bring chicken to room temp: Remove chicken from refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
- Prepare baking dish: Line a baking dish with aluminum foil or parchment paper and lightly grease it with olive oil.
- Arrange chicken: Place the marinated chicken breasts evenly spaced in the prepared dish.
- Add marinade: Pour any remaining marinade over the chicken.
- Bake: Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Baste (optional): Halfway through baking, baste the chicken with pan juices for extra moisture and flavor.
- Rest chicken: Once cooked, remove chicken from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes to retain juices.
- Slice for serving: Slice the chicken breasts into thick pieces.
- Plate chicken: Arrange the sliced chicken on a serving platter and drizzle with pan juices.
- Garnish: Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
- Serve: Serve with preferred sides such as roasted vegetables or quinoa.
- Store leftovers: Allow leftovers to cool completely and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Reheat leftovers in a microwave or oven until warmed through.
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate chicken for at least 2 hours or up to 4 hours.
- Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for safety.
- You can substitute fresh herbs for dried if preferred, adjusting quantity accordingly.
- Leftover chicken can be used in salads, sandwiches, or wraps.
- Adjust honey amount to taste for more or less sweetness.
- Use foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Keywords: balsamic chicken, baked chicken breast, easy chicken recipe, healthy dinner, balsamic vinegar chicken, honey garlic chicken