Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for balsamic marinated chicken, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Chicken:
I used boneless skinless chicken thighs for this balsamic chicken recipe. If you want to use bone-in, follow my baked chicken thighs recipe for temp and time. You could also use boneless skinless chicken breasts, they would take a bit longer to bake at the same temperature, depending on their size. If you use chicken breasts, I highly recommend first using a salt brine before marinating, as described in my healthy baked chicken breast recipe.
Balsamic Chicken Marinade:
This balsamic marinade for chicken is similar to my balsamic steak marinade, and needs just a few simple ingredients that you probably already have:
Olive Oil – Makes up the base of the marinade and locks in moisture. I used regular olive oil, but you could also use extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or any neutral cooking oil. Balsamic Vinegar – Adds a tangy, slightly sweet flavor, and is the key ingredient in balsamic chicken marinade! You can substitute red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar, but it will no longer be balsamic chicken. 😉 Garlic – Fresh minced garlic will give your marinade the best flavor, but you could use 3 teaspoons of jarred garlic to make it faster, or 3/4 teaspoon of garlic powder in a pinch. Italian Seasoning – I prefer to make my own homemade Italian seasoning when I can (it takes just 5 minutes), but store bought will work just fine. You can also keep it simple and just use one type of dried herbs, such as dried oregano or dried basil. Sea Salt & Black Pepper
After cooking, I like to finish with a drizzle of my balsamic glaze recipe for a balsamic glazed chicken, but this is totally optional. To make honey balsamic chicken with a hint of sweetness, add 1-2 tablespoons of honey (or sugar-free honey) to the marinade.
How To Make Balsamic Chicken
This section shows how to make balsamic chicken thighs, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Meal prep: You can marinate up to 24 hours ahead, or bake balsamic chicken up to 4 days in advance. It’s delicious for meal prep, or over a low carb salad for lunch! Reheat: Warm in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F. The microwave will work as well, but dries out the chicken more. Freeze: Store chicken in a freezer-safe container or zip lock bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
What To Serve With Balsamic Chicken Thighs
I like to serve this balsamic chicken recipe with a simple side, and there are so many options to choose from! Here are some reader favorites:
Use chicken pieces of the same thickness. This ensures that they cook at the same rate. If some are thicker than others, use the flat side of a meat tenderizer to get them to an even thickness. Marinate for the right amount of time. Ideally, the meat should marinate between 3 and 12 hours. Do not go over 24 hours, or the chicken will get mushy. Give the chicken space. Arrange the pieces on the pan so that they aren’t touching each other. This ensures that they cook evenly (and also faster). Use a meat thermometer. This is the best way to know your chicken is cooked perfectly. Get the right internal temperature. For best results, cook dark meat like chicken thighs to an internal temperature of 170 degrees F. (This is more juicy than the minimum safe temperature of 165 degrees F, and the opposite of what you’d do for white meat.) If you’re cooking chicken breasts, go for 165 degrees F instead.
Veggies – For a quick, healthy weeknight meal, I pair this chicken with a side of roasted asparagus. It’s just as delicious with other oven roasted vegetables, or make sauteed zucchini or air fryer broccoli while you have the balsamic chicken in the oven. Salad – The best side salad for this dish is a Caprese salad (or an avocado Caprese salad). The Italian flavors go together perfectly. It also works well sliced over a simple arugula salad for a meal, or swap the steak in steak salad for balsamic chicken. Potatoes – A side of roasted potatoes or an air fryer baked potato makes the perfect pairing, but if you’re watching the carbs, try cauliflower mashed potatoes or roasted rutabaga. Rice – Chicken and conventional rice make a great pair, but if you need a lighter option, try cauliflower rice instead.
More Easy Chicken Thigh Recipes
Looking for more easy chicken thigh recipes? Here are some of my favorites: Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email. Nutrition info does not include the optional balsamic glaze.
