Description
Balsamic Baked Chicken Breast: Tender chicken marinated in balsamic vinegar, garlic, and herbs. Quick, flavorful, and crowd-pleasing!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds or 900g)
- 1/3 cup (80ml) balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 4 garlic cloves, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the balsamic marinade by whisking together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until well combined. Reserve 1/4 cup of marinade for basting during cooking.
- Step 2: Prepare your chicken breasts by patting them dry with paper towels. If they’re uneven in thickness, place them between plastic wrap and gently pound the thicker parts to achieve uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and maximum juiciness.
- Step 3: Add chicken to the marinade, turning to coat completely. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, though 2-4 hours will give you the best flavor. For a deeper taste infusion, you can marinate overnight.
- Step 4: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking dish with parchment paper or lightly oil it to prevent sticking. Remove chicken from marinade and arrange in the baking dish, leaving space between pieces.
- Step 5: Bake for 20-25 minutes, basting with reserved marinade halfway through cooking time. Your chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the glaze has caramelized to a beautiful dark brown color.
- Step 6: Let your balsamic baked chicken breast rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute throughout the meat. This crucial step ensures maximum juiciness. Drizzle with any pan juices and garnish with fresh herbs for a beautiful presentation.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 300 calories
- Sugar: 10 grams
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 grams
- Saturated Fat: 2 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 15 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Protein: 30 grams
- Cholesterol: 90 mg