This Easy Honey Balsamic Chicken is a simple skillet dinner that tastes a little fancy without requiring much work. Tender chicken is coated in a sweet and tangy balsamic glaze made with honey, garlic, and herbs.
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The chicken cooks in about 15 minutes, making this a great option for busy weeknights. Serve it with rice, roasted vegetables, potatoes, pasta, or a simple salad for an easy complete meal.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Only about 15 minutes of active cooking time
- Made with simple pantry ingredients
- Sweet, tangy, and savory
- Cooked in one skillet
- Easy to pair with different sides
- Great for meal prep
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1-2 tablespoons water, if needed
Ingredient Notes
Chicken: Slice thick chicken breasts horizontally into thinner cutlets so they cook evenly. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs also work well and may need a few extra minutes to cook.
Balsamic vinegar: Use a regular balsamic vinegar rather than a thick balsamic glaze. The vinegar will reduce and thicken as it cooks.
Honey: Honey balances the acidity of the balsamic vinegar and helps form the glossy glaze.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives the sauce the best flavor, but about ½ teaspoon garlic powder can be used in a pinch.
How to Make Honey Balsamic Chicken
If the chicken breasts are very large, cut them into smaller pieces so they cook more quickly and evenly.
In a bowl or Ziplock bag, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, honey, minced garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Pour the honey balsamic mixture over the chicken and turn the pieces until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. I highly recommend marinating the chicken because it gives it a much deeper sweet and tangy flavor.
When ready to cook, heat the olive oil in a cast iron skillet or large pan over medium-high heat.
Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off, and place it in the hot skillet. Reserve the marinade.
Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes per side, depending on the thickness, until nicely browned and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
Remove from the heat and serve warm.
Serving Suggestions
This chicken goes great with:
- Steamed Rice
- Air Fryer Red Potatoes
- Oven Roasted Garlic Butter Green Beans
- Simple Salad
- Pasta
- Stir Fry Broccoli with Garlic
Storage and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, warm in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water to help keep the chicken juicy. You can also microwave in short intervals until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes! Boneless chicken thighs work really well in this recipe and tend to stay extra juicy.
Can I bake this instead?
Absolutely. Bake at 400°F for about 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes - you can marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance.
Is honey balsamic chicken sweet?
It has a balanced sweet-and-savory flavor. The balsamic vinegar keeps it from tasting overly sweet.
Honey Balsamic Chicken
Tender chicken marinated in a sweet and tangy honey balsamic sauce with garlic and herbs, then pan-seared until golden brown. This easy skillet chicken recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and pairs well with rice, potatoes, vegetables, or pasta.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- If the chicken breasts are very large, cut them into smaller pieces so they cook more quickly and evenly.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Add the chicken and coat evenly with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat the olive oil in a cast iron skillet or large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken and cook for about 5–7 minutes per side, depending on the thickness, until browned and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
- Remove from the heat and serve warm.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes is highly recommended for the best flavor.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be substituted for chicken breasts.
- Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the chicken.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: ¼ recipeAmount Per Serving: Calories: 291Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 97mgSodium: 86mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 1gSugar: 8gProtein: 35g
The nutrition information for this recipe is an approximate total per serving. Please double check the nutrition information for your exact ingredients and brands for more precise nutrition information.
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Scarlet says
This honey balsamic chicken recipe looks great! Perfect way to add flavor and those thighs look cooked so well with just a bit of tasty char. Yum! Pinning to try soon!
tinatsai says
Thank you!! I actually used Chicken Breast in this recipe, but Thighs would work just as well! 🙂
Donny says
Always looking for fast chicken recipes for weeknights. This is so perfect!
Megan Stevens says
I love how easy and delicious this chicken recipe is. Balsamic and honey go so great with chicken thighs.
Kelly says
Everything about this chicken is SO GOOD! Tender, juicy and that delicious honey balsamic!!