This is the best Balsamic Chicken Marinade you’ll ever make! Flavorful with balsamic vinegar, garlic and Italian season, it’s perfect for BBQs and healthy dinners!
This is my favorite Balsamic Chicken Marinade with the best flavor depth from olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning and, of course, balsamic vinegar.
It’s an essential recipe not only for summer, but all year long for us (it makes for a great Baked Caprese Chicken)! Whenever I buy chicken breast in bulk, I freeze some of it right in the marinade for extra quick dinner prep.
Having marinated chicken on the ready makes dinner time easier on busy weeknights – and you only need a few simple ingredients to pull it together, too!
Ingredients you’ll need
Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities!
Ingredient notes
- Chicken: Use any chicken cut – chicken breast is my favourite, but boneless thighs or even wings work great here, too.
- Brown sugar: Feel free to replace the brown sugar with honey or maple syrup for a natural sweetener. You can also leave out the sugar if you prefer, the marinade will be a little more tart.
- Garlic: If you don’t have any fresh garlic on hand, feel free to use ¼ teaspoon dried garlic powder instead.
- Dijon mustard: I love Dijon mustard in this recipe; but a simple yellow mustard or a whole grain mustard are great, too.
How to make Balsamic Chicken Marinade
1. Start by combining all marinade ingredients in a large measuring jug.
2. Place the chicken in a large ziplock bag and pour the marinade over it. Remove as much air from the bag as possible, then zip it closed.
As a little tip, I like to massage the marinade lightly into the chicken to make sure it’s completely covered.
3. Refrigerate the sealed bag or container for at least 15 minutes, and up to overnight.
4. Once ready to cook, remove the chicken from the bag. Discard the bag and any excess marinade. Cook the chicken your preferred way until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Rest the chicken 5 minutes before serving.
Short recipe video
Recipe tips
- you can cut the chicken in strips or in pieces, or pound it, before marinating
- freeze the freshly marinated chicken for up to 3 months – defrost in the fridge overnight before using
- leftover chicken keeps in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days, add it to salads for easy lunches!
- use about 2 pounds of chicken with this amount of marinade for best texture and flavor
- If you want to avoid single-use plastic, you can also marinate the chicken in a glass or stainless steel container with a lid. Just make sure the chicken is covered in marinade! You may need to double the marinade depending on the size of your container.
- You should always discard used marinade for food safety reasons, do not reuse it.
- If you’re using defrosted chicken, it is recommended you do not re-freeze it.
How to freeze marinated chicken
Simply place the chicken in the marinade in a freezer-friendly bag or container that seals well, making sure the chicken is evenly coated.
Label your container with the name and use-by date (freeze for up to 3 months) and place in the freezer.
To defrost, place the bag on a plate to catch any drips and thaw in the fridge overnight.
Serving ideas
We love this balsamic chicken so many ways! We mostly eat it during the summer from the grill, so my side dish ideas might reflect this a little ?
Starchy Sides
- Cooked pasta tossed in a little olive oil
- Garlic Smashed Potatoes
- Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad
- No Knead Homemade French Bread
Vegetable Sides
Salad Sides
- Tomato Cucumber Avocado Salad
- Caprese Cherry Tomato Salad
- Diced Tomatoes with Balsamic Vinaigrette
If you have another favorite side dish, let me know in the comments so I can try it out!
PS If you try this recipe, please leave a review in the comment section and add a star rating in the recipe card – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram.
Printable recipe
Balsamic Chicken Marinade
Recipe details
Ingredients
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1-2 tablespoons brown sugar optional to offset the acidity from the vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic minced (or more to taste)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- salt + pepper to taste (I use 1 – 1.5 teaspoons of regular table salt)
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
Instructions
- Make marinade: Place all marinade ingredients in a measuring jug and whisk very well.
- Marinate chicken: Place chicken in a ziploc bag (or alternatively in a shallow dish). Pour marinade on top, making sure all chicken pieces are covered all over. Seal dish or bag well and refrigerate for 15 minutes or up to overnight.
- Cook chicken: Remove chicken from marinade, discarding bag and any excess marinade. Cook chicken your preferred way, until it reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F.Grill: Place chicken on a hot grill and grill 6-8 minutes on either side, or until chicken is done.Skillet: Heat oil in a skillet. Add chicken and cook around 8-10 minutes on either side, or until chicken is done.Oven: Place chicken in a baking dish and bake at 410°F for 15-25 minutes, or until chicken is done.
Notes
- Use any chicken cut – boneless thighs or wings work especially great here, too.
- You can cut the chicken in strips or in pieces, or pound it, before marinating.
- Freeze the freshly marinated chicken for up to 3 months – defrost in the fridge overnight before using (if you’re using defrosted chicken, it is not recommend to re-freeze it).
- Leftover chicken keeps in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days, add it to salads for easy lunches.
Nutrition
More recipe information
Recipe first posted in July 2019. Post first updated with new text on 01/05/2021. Updated with new photos on 05/24/2022. The recipe has always remained the same.
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Jessica Snawder says
This was so delicious, flavorful, and easy! This recipe is definitely a keeper.
Chris says
I’m my own worst critic. I hardly ever like any kind of chicken breast, no matter how it’s cooked. I tried your marinade on some thick breasts and they were DELICIOUS! This will be my go-to marinade now so THANK YOU!
Emily Boronkay says
Thank you, Nora. I’m always looking for easy inexpensive recipes to make for our church youth group events. In order to stretch our budget, I bought 10 pounds of discounted drumsticks on their expiration date. I knew I had to get them in a vinegar based marinade immediately. This was just the ticket. I used a combo of balsamic and rice vinegar to have enough marinade. Are used granulated garlic instead of fresh because it was 10 pounds of chicken. I used honey instead of sugar. I marinated it for about 17 hours. We had twice as many kids show up as usual so I only had one drumstick for each kid. I know it was a hit because I had kids coming to ask for seconds which unfortunately I didn’t have.
Thank you so much. I’ll be bookmarking this one and using it again. I cooked this time in the instant pot. Sometime this summer, I will do this one again but on the grill and to see how that enhances the flavor.
Nora says
Wow Emily! That’s a lot of chicken you cooked up for those lucky kids. Glad my humble recipe was of help.
Braden says
Loved the idea of a quick marinade. I actually used it to marinate 3 leg quarters and it came out amazing. BBQ’d (quick smoke), at indirect heat for 40 minutes and the flavors were incredible.
Nora says
I’m glad to hear it, Braden!
Jennifer says
Delicious! I did substitute honey for the brown sugar as you suggested. I also used Mrs Dash original seasoning for the Italian seasoning because it has oregano, thyme, basil in it. Thanks for the recipe!
Nora says
I’m happy to hear you like the recipe, Jennifer! Glad the substitutions worked out well for you.
Patrice says
I made this for the first time today and followed the recipe exactly except I omitted the garlic because my husband is sensitive to it. Cooked it in the oven for 25 minutes. I also cut up 2 sweet potatoes and put them on the same pan with the chicken and everything turned out perfect!! Will definitely be making again!
Nora says
I’m so glad, Patrice!
Beth Long says
Really juicy and crispy on outside, great flavor, I should have salted a little more. Used the oven at recommendation for 410 degrees for 30 minutes-2 breasts on bone- one of the best chicken recipes ever!
Nora says
I’m so glad, Beth!
J says
What can I use in place of mustard in the marinade? I just bought some chicken and pork and plan to use different marinades and freeze them. Then it will be all ready to go for the grill this summer when it’s too hot to cook inside my house.
Nora says
You can just leave out the mustard, or you can use the same amount of mayo if you want to help emulsify the marinade. Hope this helps!
Beth Long says
I also added some capers.
Nora says
And yum 🙂
Joanne says
I put the chicken over pasta. Not sure what to use as a sauce for the pasta. Ideas please.
Nora says
Joanne, I would probably go with a simple homemade marinara!
Beth says
This was delish and a quick favorite of my husband and his coworkers (he shared). Can marinade be frozen? How long will it keep if stored in refrigerator?
Nora says
Beth, you can refer to the freezer tips in the recipe: “Simply place the chicken in the marinade in a freezer-friendly bag or container that seals well, making sure the chicken is evenly coated. Label your container with the name and use-by date (freeze for up to 3 months) and place in the freezer.”
As far as keeping it in the fridge goes, as long as you work with clean equipment, the USDA food safety rules say you can marinate chicken in the fridge for up to 2 days.
ChefBillyBoy says
Tasty and simple to make. This recipe is a keeper and we will enjoy Balsamic Chicken grilled up perfectly all summer. The family loved it but wants me to use thighs next time. Breasts always seem to be dry and without much flavor.
Nora says
I’m glad the flavor was to your family’s taste!
Merry says
I am not a great cook and I never have been so when my girlfriend’s parents asked her and I to make dinner, I didn’t know what I was gonna do. I found this recipe on pinterest and immediately got excited because everyone in my gf’s household ADORES anything balsamic. I convinced my gf that we should make this even though neither of us had had this before. Needless to say, it was such a success!! I loved it and so did everyone else!! We didn’t have time to marinate it for as long as I wished but the 30-45 minutes that it was marinating did the job perfectly! It’s also so simple to make, doesn’t use a ton of dishes or anything. I enjoyed making it as well as eating it. Tastes so good and I can’t wait to make this a go-to 🙂
Merry says
Oh and we made the chicken in the oven! Came out so tender, everyone was impressed!
Nora says
I’m so, so happy to hear this, Merry!
Harty Ashby says
Loved the marinade! I used it to make marinaded chicken and I also used it to make marinated portabella mushroom caps. I cooked chicken and mushrooms separately in air fryer and they were delicious and very flavorful! Thank you.
Nora says
I’m so glad. Sounds delicious with the mushrooms, I’ll have to try that!
Laura says
Made this to go with a spinach strawberry avocado salad luncheon for our Summer intern -paired perfectly! The chicken grilled up deliciously!
Our intern even asked for the recipe!
Phyl M. says
Excellent recipe. I used Nonna Pias Balsamic Glaze and added a quarter cup water. Then, threw the thighs on the grill and finished in the oven. So delicious.
Janice says
I snuck this in one night and my husband (who is very anti-balsamic anything) loved it. He didn’t even question if it was balsamic. It is now a favorite of mine for sure!
Jenn says
How funny , I have something I do close to this balsamic is my favorite too I could not, especially during this now, not have it. It has came in handy with everything else to add to so many recipe my friend is like I didn’t you could use it in this or that, I told her I use it alot to I add it to most everything I do.. As my special. Ingredient.. LOL
Nora Rusev says
Balsamic is a food group, right?! ☺️
Courtney says
This is heaven!!! We have used this multiple times and is even a hit with our children! Thank you!
Nora Rusev says
I’m so glad, Courtney! Any recipe the kids love is a keeper, right?! ?
Lilli Ch says
Easy, very tender chicken.
Nora Rusev says
I’m glad to hear, Lilli!
Maria says
Is 410 degrees the correct temperature? I’ve never made anything at that temperature.
Nora Rusev says
Maria, it’s 410° Fahrenheit, not Celsius. That’s around 205° Celsius.
Bjhire says
This is excellent oven-baked…and I appreciate the plastic-free option mentioned in the instructions!
Nora Rusev says
I’m so glad to hear this! And I appreciate you taking the time to read the notes. Thank you!
Leanne says
I doubled the recipe and stuck it in the crock pot!! It was delicious, fast and really easy!!!
Linda says
Do you think this marinade would work for pork as well?
Nora Rusev says
Linda, I would absolutely think so! What a great idea actually, I need to try that.
Nean says
This made good chicken I used the marinade with home made stir fried rice. It was great. I also added red pepper flakes to it. If you like it spice try it with them
Ann says
I was looking at your recipe and you referred to lemon juice and soy sauce, but I do not see that listed in the ingredients.
Nora Rusev says
Ann, uhm, yes. Good catch ? I wrote that and was actually thinking about my steak marinade. I guess that’s what I get for working too late at night ? thank you so much for bringing it to my attention, fixed it right away.
Ann says
Duh…I thought I saw lemon juice and soy sauce listed in the instructions, but not in the list of ingredients. I must be seeing things.
Nora Rusev says
Happens to the best of us 😉
Sara says
I am giving you 5 stars for the idea of freezing the chicken breasts in the marinade. Wow! My husband comes home with tons of chicken breasts and puts them in baggies in the freezer. See why this made me excited? You are saving a step by having the marinade made and when he gets home with the groceries I can throw the breasts in the marinade. Easy, quick and exciting. [Don’t even ask. I don’t load the cart right, I take way too long to shop etc. so he is extremely happy to do the job of shopping for groceries himself. I just give him the list and off he goes, plus he is gone all day and I get the day alone to cook or clean. It’s my day off 😉 Works for us!]
Nora says
Glad you find it helpful, Sara. And my husband is in charge of the grocery shopping, too! So handy ?