Balsamic Glazed Chicken
With just 6 ingredients, balsamic glazed chicken is a simple family meal. Sweet, tangy, delicious chicken.
The chicken has a rich, sticky, glossy balsamic finish with a robust flavor. Not fancy, but very tasty. Nice for a casual family or friend gathering too.
You can marinate the chicken if you want, but it’s not necessary. I almost always use kosher chicken which is brined, flavorful and juicy.
Great sides for Balsamic Glazed Chicken:
- Broccoli Apple Slaw with Avocado Dressing,
- Lemon Herb Cauliflower ‘Rice’ Stir Fry,
- Super Easy Potato Knishes,
- Red Quinoa Salad
- Oven Roasted Vegetables or
- Root vegetable mash
FAQ
If you have the time or want to prepare the chicken ahead, you can certainly marinate the chicken for a few hours or the night before baking to infuse extra flavor. If you don’t have time, no worries. The chicken will still taste great.
A trick I use is to buy kosher chicken which is already brined. This makes the chicken juicier more flavorful. With brined chicken, I skip the marinating for sure.
Yes you can. The boneless chicken will cook for less time at a higher temperature. Instructions are in the recipe.
The best way tell if chicken is cooked is to use an instant thermometer. The temperature should read 160F/71C. It will rise to 165F/74C after resting for 5-10 minutes.
The recipe gives you enough glaze to brush on an extra coat before broiling or serving. If you want to have additional glaze/sauce for drizzling, consider making 1 1/2 times the amount of glaze.
Make Ahead
- You can prepare the balsamic glaze ahead and use it to marinate the chicken overnight. Or just toss it with the chicken the next day.
- Or, you can complete the recipe, under cooking it slightly, and keep it warm in the oven. Broil for a few minutes just before serving.
- Leftovers will keep in the fridge for several days. And the leftover chicken is delicious cold.
Other saucy chicken recipes you might like
- apricot chicken recipes
- spatchcock roast chicken with teriyaki glaze
- sweet and spicy chicken wings
- Indian butter chicken recipe (sous vide or regular)
- company chicken with citrus sauce and pistachios
- simple roast chicken with potatoes
- recipe for chicken fricassee
How to make balsamic glazed chicken
Balsamic Glazed Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 pounds (1.6kg) bone-in chicken pieces, Note 1
- 2 tablespoon parsley or green onions, chopped (optional for garnish)
Balsamic Chicken Marinade/Glaze, Note 2
- 6 tablespoon (90ml) good quality Balsamic Vinegar
- 1/2 cup (117g) ketchup
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup (or honey)
- 2 teaspoon Dijon mustard (or whole grain)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, but good!)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- MAKE BALSAMIC GLAZE: Place all glaze ingredients in a small saucepan and stir to combine. Bring to boil, lower heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes until glaze thickens and coats the back of a spoon. (if you increase the amount of glaze, you might need a bit more time).
- PREPARE CHICKEN: Put chicken pieces in a large mixing bowl. Reserve 1/4 cup of glaze and pour the rest on the chicken. Mix to coat chicken evenly. (At this point you can refrigerate for several hours or over night if you like). Place chicken on a baking pan, lined with parchment paper or foil sprayed with oil for easy clean up.
- BAKE: For bone-in chicken, bake for 30-40 minutes, depending on size of chicken pieces or until an instant thermometer reads 155F/68C. Or to 160F/71C if you are not finishing with a quick broil. Note 3 to bake boneless chicken. Optional: To get a nice shiny finish, brush on some reserved glaze and broil chicken 6-10 inches from heat for 3-4 minutes, watching to make sure it doesn't burn. Transfer chicken to a serving platter. Sprinkle with parsley or green onions if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- Types of chicken you can use for about 4 servings
- whole chicken, cut up into 8 pieces
- 3 1/2 pounds (1.6kg) bone-in chicken pieces, dark or white meat
- 2 lbs boneless chicken breasts, pounded to even 1/2-3/4 inch (1.2-1.9cm) thickness
- 2 lbs boneless thighs
- I use bone-in kosher chicken as it is already brined which makes it very juicy and flavorful.
- Amount of marinade/glaze to make: You will have plenty of glaze if you are using boneless chicken. You will also have enough glaze for bone-in to brush on extra for a final broil finish. If you want extra sauce/glaze for drizzling on rice, for example, make 1.5 times the amounts in the recipe.
- To bake boneless chicken (instead of bone-in): Bake boneless chicken at 425F/218C. Bake boneless breasts for 15-18 minutes and boneless thighs for 25-30 minutes depending on size. Temperature should measure 160F/71C on an instant thermometer if not broiling to finish (or 155F/68C if broiling). If broiling, place pan 6 inches from top of oven to broil.
- Make Ahead
-
- Option 1: Prepare glaze, combine with chicken, reserving 1/4 cup for later, place in large bowl, container or ziploc bag. Refrigerate for up to a day. Bake as directed when needed. Use extra sauce to pass around or drizzle on before broiling.
- Option 2: Complete the recipe except for broiling at the end. I under cook a little to 155F. Cover chicken with foil and keep it in a low heat (e.g. 160-200F) for up to an hour. Or turn the oven off if you are serving within 1/2 hour. Broil for a few minutes just before serving.
Was easy and super delicious!
Was a hit with rice!
Must try
Glad you enjoyed the chicken Janet!
I made this recipe with chicken thighs and it turned out beautifully and delicious! Easy to follow the recipe instructions!
Thanks for leaving a comment Sylvia! Glad you liked the recipe. 🙂