I’d consider myself a grilled chicken connoisseur and after many, many trial runs of this grilled balsamic chicken, I’ve nailed down the best version! (Psst… simple is best.) I’ll show you everything you need and give you some tips to make the best, most flavorful marinated grilled chicken!
Simply Delicious Balsamic Grilled Chicken
I’m so happy to add another delicious grilled chicken recipe to my collection! (I linked to a few more of my favorites below.) After lots of trials and tinkering with herbs and spices I realized… this chicken didn’t need all of that!
The simplicity of this recipe really makes the balsamic flavor shine. You will LOVE this chicken.
It’s easy to prep with simple ingredients and with a few helpful tips you’ll have juicy, tangy balsamic chicken ready to use in a lot of ways!
Balsamic Grilled Chicken Marinade Ingredients
- Chicken breasts or thighs — I use boneless, skinless chicken and if my breast pieces are thick, I cut them into thinner cutlets. More on this below!
- Balsamic vinegar — This is what gives it that tangy-sweet flavor. Use any kind of balsamic vinegar you can find.
- Oil — I use avocado oil because I’ll be grilling this chicken and need an oil that has a high smoke point. You could also use light olive oil.
- Fresh garlic — Yes, fresh. I use my Microplane grater to get it nice and grated.
- Salt and pepper
- Honey — I didn’t include this in the photo and it’s optional, but it will give the chicken a slightly sweeter flavor if that’s what you prefer.
How to make Balsamic Grilled Chicken
- Salt the chicken pieces.
- Add the chicken to a large ziptop bag or put them in a large shallow dish.
- Add the oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, pepper, and honey (if using).
- Seal the bag well and use your hands to mix everything around to ensure the garlic is well incorporated throughout the chicken. If you’re using a shallow dish, turn the chicken over a few times with a pair of tongs.
- Let the chicken marinate for at least 2 hours or up to 18 hours.
- Preheat your BBQ grill to high heat.
- Grill the chicken for a few minutes on each side until the chicken is fairly firm and the juices are running clear.
- Remove the chicken from the grill and set aside to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
- Serve!
Grilled Balsamic Chicken Recipe Tips
- Slice your thicker chicken pieces into thinner cutlets. This does a few things — it creates more surface area for the marinade which creates more flavor in the chicken, it also decreases the marinating time. It also grills faster. This is easy to do if you have a sharp knife.
- Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours. Or longer if you want a stronger flavor.
- If you use honey, decrease the grilling temperature. Honey (as well as other types of sweetener) burn easily, so I’d recommend grilling at medium-high heat instead of high heat.
What to serve with Balsamic Marinated Chicken
If you’re looking for ideas of how to serve this grilled chicken, here are a few of my favorites!
Grilled Veggies: Toss some asparagus or zucchini strips on the grill along with the chicken and drizzle with some balsamic glaze!
Roasted Veggies: Any roasted vegetable would work here, but if you need some direction try my Crispy Roasted Broccoli, Crispy Brussel Sprouts, or Balsamic Roasted Vegetables.
On a Salad: Have a favorite salad recipe that needs a little protein? Toss some of that chicken on top! Here are some salad recipes that would pair well with this balsamic grilled chicken: Spring Mix Salad Recipe, Pesto Rice Salad, Strawberry Balsamic Salad, or Sweet Kale Salad.
Grain sides: If you want something heartier like rice, try my Herbed Rice.
Add to pizza or pasta: I tossed some of this chopped balsamic grilled chicken on some pizza along with marinara, ricotta, mozzarella, and topped it with fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Crazy good, guys.
Storing leftover Grilled Balsamic Chicken
When the chicken cools to room temperature, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
If you make one of my recipes, be sure to post it on social media and tag me at @perrysplate or #perrysplate so I can send you some love!
Balsamic Grill Chicken Marinade
I'd consider myself a grilled chicken connoisseur and after many, many trial runs of this grilled balsamic chicken, I've nailed down the best version! (Psst... simple is best.) I'll show you everything you need and give you some tips to make the best, most flavorful marinated grilled chicken!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Sea salt
- Ground black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup avocado oil
- 2 Tablespoons honey (optional)
Instructions
- Lay the chicken out on a cutting board. Slice any extra thick pieces into two smaller cutlets (optional, but I highly recommend it.) Salt the chicken pieces on both sides with a few generous pinches of salt.
- Add the chicken to a large ziptop bag or put them in a large shallow dish.
- To the bag, add the oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, pepper, and honey (if using). Seal the bag well and use your hands to mix everything around to ensure the garlic is well incorporated throughout the chicken. If you're using a shallow dish, turn the chicken over a few times with a pair of tongs.
- Let the chicken marinate for at least 2 hours or up to 18 hours.
- Preheat your BBQ grill to high heat.
- Grill the chicken for a few minutes on each side until the chicken is fairly firm and the juices are running clear.
- Remove the chicken from the grill and set aside to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
- Serve!
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