Balsamic Chicken Thighs marinated in balsamic vinegar, honey, fresh herbs, and garlic are tender, juicy, tangy, and sweet—and they’re cooked in under 20 minutes! This easy chicken dinner recipe is one you’ll make on repeat.
Serve this chicken with Strawberry Caprese Salad and Zucchini Cheese Quick Bread for a fresh, easy meal.
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It’s summer. I live in the south, and it’s hotter than…well, you know. I’m not complaining; I’m just stating a fact. Even when temps soar, I keep things simple and as effortless as possible when it comes to cooking.
That’s where this recipe comes in. Grilled chicken thighs that have been soaking up an easy 8-ingredient marinade is one of the best dinners (with very little effort) that I’ve ever made.
What Makes Balsamic Chicken So Delicious?
It’s all in the marinade! My homemade balsamic marinade is one of my favorites for imparting flavor to chicken. It’s so flavorful that you can let your chicken hang out for as little as 15 minutes or as long as 2 hours for delicious balsamic vinegar chicken.
What You Need To Make Flavorful Marinated Chicken
- Chicken Thighs: I use boneless skinless but you can also use bone-in, skin-on if you prefer.
- Marinade: Balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, garlic, salt and pepper.
- Herbs: Fresh thyme and rosemary.
I like cooking chicken on the grill to add even more flavor. The outside gets a little charred, and the marinade gives it a tangy, slightly sweet flavor.
Tips For Grilling
- Oil the grates of your grill. I also like to use a grill pan.
- When putting the chicken on the grill, sear it over high heat. This usually takes 1 to 2 minutes. Flip it and sear the other side. Once that’s done, I turn down the heat or move the chicken to a cooler part of the grill to finish cooking. The chicken is done when an instant-read thermometer reaches 165 degrees.
- Preheat the grill: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat to ensure even cooking.
To elevate this recipe, I finish the grilled chicken with a drizzle of balsamic glaze. It’s sweet and rich and adds an irresistible burst of flavor. You can make it yourself using my Balsamic Reduction recipe, or buy it at the grocery store.
What To Serve With Juicy Balsamic Chicken Thighs
Craving More Chicken Recipes? Try These!
If you tried this Balsamic Chicken Thighs Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Ingredients
- 2 – 21/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary (substitute ¼ teaspoon of dried if fresh is not available)
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme (substitute ¼ teaspoon of dried if fresh is not available)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 green onion, thinly sliced – optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt, pepper, and garlic. Add chicken to a glass container or zip-top bag. Pour marinade over chicken. Add the fresh herbs. Cover container and place in fridge to marinate 15 minutes or up to 2 hours.
- Remove chicken from the fridge. Heat grill to medium-high heat, about 450 degrees. Clean and oil grates. Place chicken on the grill and cook for 5-6 minutes then flip. Cook the chicken an additional 5-6 minutes until done. Internal temperature should reach 165 degrees.
- *** You can substitute bone-in, skin-on chicken. Cooking time will need to be increased, cooking for approximately 10 minutes per side. The chicken will be done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
- Remove chicken from grill and let rest for 5 minutes. Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
- Sprinkle with sliced green onion if desired.
How To Make Balsamic Reduction
- To a small saucepan, add 1 cup of vinegar and 1 tablespoon of honey. Stir. Bring to a low boil, and quickly, reduce to a slow simmer. Stir often and watch the pot so as not to burn.
- Cook for approximately 20 to 25 minutes. When the liquid is reduced by ⅓, turn off the burner and allow it to cool. The sauce will thicken and can be kept in the fridge until ready to use.
Notes
Nutrition
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