Balsamic Baked Chicken Breast (Print Version)

Juicy chicken breasts with tangy balsamic glaze, baked until caramelized and tender.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)

→ Marinade & Glaze

02 - 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (or basil, oregano, thyme mix)
07 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnish

10 - Chopped fresh parsley
11 - Cherry tomatoes, halved

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, minced garlic, Italian herbs, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.
03 - Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, turning to coat thoroughly. Marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator for best flavor, or proceed immediately if short on time.
04 - Arrange the marinated chicken breasts in a single layer in a baking dish. Pour any remaining marinade over the top.
05 - Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F) and the glaze is slightly caramelized.
06 - Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley and cherry tomatoes if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The marinade does double duty keeping the chicken incredibly juicy while creating that gorgeous sticky glaze
  • Everything comes together in under ten minutes of active prep but tastes like you spent much longer on it
02 -
  • Pounding the chicken to even thickness prevents thinner pieces from drying out while thicker pieces finish cooking
  • The glaze will darken quickly in the last few minutes so keep an eye on it to prevent burning
03 -
  • Let the chicken come to room temperature for 20 minutes before baking for more even cooking
  • Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking which is the most common mistake people make with baked chicken breast

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