Balsamic Baked Chicken Breast (Print-Friendly Format)
Juicy chicken breast, marinated with balsamic and herbs, baked to perfection for any night of the week.
# Ingredients You’ll Need:
→ Main
01 -
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
→ Marinade
02 -
120 ml balsamic vinegar
03 -
60 ml extra virgin olive oil
04 -
2 tablespoons honey
05 -
3 cloves garlic, minced
06 -
1 teaspoon dried oregano
07 -
1 teaspoon dried thyme
08 -
Salt, to taste
09 -
Black pepper, to taste
→ Garnish (optional)
10 -
Fresh basil leaves
# How to Make It:
01 -
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, minced garlic, dried oregano, and dried thyme. Whisk until the honey fully dissolves and the mixture is homogeneous.
02 -
Season the marinade generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each fillet is evenly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish tightly.
03 -
Refrigerate the marinated chicken for at least 30 minutes. For maximum flavour, marinate for 2 to 4 hours if time permits.
04 -
Preheat the oven to 200°C. Remove the chicken from refrigeration and allow it to rest at room temperature for 10–15 minutes.
05 -
Line a baking dish with parchment paper or aluminium foil and lightly brush with olive oil.
06 -
Arrange the marinated chicken breasts in the prepared dish, spaced evenly. Pour over any remaining marinade. Bake on the centre rack for 25–30 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 75°C.
07 -
If desired, baste the chicken with pan juices halfway through the baking time to enhance succulence.
08 -
Remove the baking dish from the oven. Allow the chicken to rest undisturbed for 5–10 minutes to retain juices. Slice each fillet into thick pieces for presentation.
09 -
Arrange sliced chicken on a serving platter. Drizzle with pan juices and garnish with fresh basil leaves if using. Serve immediately with favourite sides.
10 -
Cool leftovers completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven until heated through.
# Extra Tips:
01 -
For deeper flavour penetration, marinating the chicken overnight is recommended.
02 -
Dried herbs may be substituted or combined with fresh ones according to preference.