Balsamic Baked Chicken Breast:
This Balsamic Baked Chicken Breast recipe offers a flavorful and simple dinner option featuring tender chicken breasts marinated in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette with honey and garlic. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish is easy to prepare, bakes in under half an hour, and pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides like roasted vegetables or quinoa.
- Author: Emma
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes (including marinating time of at least 30 minutes)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American/Italian-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
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. 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. Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure each piece is fully coated. Seal the bag tightly or cover the dish, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably 2 to 4 hours for best flavor penetration.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Bring Chicken to Room Temperature: Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Line a baking dish with aluminum foil or parchment paper and lightly grease it with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Arrange Chicken: Place the marinated chicken breasts evenly spaced in the prepared baking dish. Pour any remaining marinade over the top for extra flavor.
- Bake Chicken: Place in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Optionally, baste the chicken with pan juices halfway through baking to keep it moist.
- Rest the Chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Serve: Slice the chicken into thick pieces and arrange on a serving platter. Drizzle with pan juices and garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired. Serve with your choice of sides such as roasted vegetables or quinoa.
- Storage: Cool any leftovers completely before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a microwave or oven until warmed through.
Notes
- Marinating for at least 2 hours will deepen the flavor and tenderize the chicken.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- For extra moisture, baste the chicken halfway through baking.
- The recipe is naturally gluten-free and suitable for halal diets.
- Honey can be substituted with maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.
- Pair the chicken with light sides like quinoa or roasted vegetables to keep the meal balanced and low calorie.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with marinade
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: balsamic baked chicken, easy chicken recipe, healthy baked chicken, dinner recipes, gluten free chicken