You’ll love this home-cooked baked balsamic chicken recipe that’s made with simple ingredients and requires minimal prep. And — bonus! — roasting this balsamic glazed chicken will make your whole house smell so good and cozy. (But if you’re not quite prepared to make a whole chicken, balsamic chicken thighs are a quicker option.) This simple balsamic chicken recipe is reprinted here with permission from Big Boards For Families by my friend, Sandy Coughlin. I was able to review Sandy’s new book — Big Boards for Families: Healthy, Wholesome charcuterie Boards and Food Spread Recipes that Bring Everyone Around the Table… and that’s just what these recipes do! I love her endless ideas for creating boards out of just about anything (so fun), but many of them (like this one) can also be made without a huge board for easy family meals. Go pick up a copy!
What Is Balsamic Chicken?
Balsamic chicken can be any chicken recipe made with balsamic vinegar. This particular dish is a whole roasted balsamic glazed chicken.
Balsamic Glazed Chicken Ingredients
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for balsamic glazed chicken, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
Whole Chicken – I prefer to use organic chicken, but you can use whatever variety you have access to. If you buy it frozen, be sure to let it thaw (either in the fridge overnight or in a bowl of cold water) before you begin this recipe.Fresh Thyme – Fresh is best for this balsamic chicken recipe, but if dried is all you have, replace the 3 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves with 1 tablespoon dried.Shallots – Shallots are similar to onions and garlic, and give the chicken great flavor.Sea Salt & Black PepperRed Onion – The original recipe called for two onions, but I’ve used one here. Red onion pairs best with balsamic vinegar, but a yellow onion is also okay to use.Chicken Broth – Feel free to use either regular or low-sodium broth if you prefer, or use bone broth for a richer flavor. Balsamic Vinegar – The star of this recipe! It provides all the flavor, plus it tenderizes the chicken. I dont recommend substituting other vinegars. Be sure you get regular balsamic vinegar and not balsamic reduction, which are two different things, but you could drizzle some balsamic reduction over the chicken at the end if you like.
How To Make Baked Balsamic Chicken
This section shows how to roast chicken with balsamic vinegar, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep leftovers in fridge for 2-3 days.Reheat: Reheat balsamic glazed chicken in a 350 degree F oven for best results. You can also microwave, just until chicken is warm.Freeze: You can freeze chicken in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2-3 months.
What To Serve With Balsamic Chicken
Classic sides are roasted potatoes, rice, or quinoa, but I prefer to serve it with vegetables: Try herbs like basil, rosemary, or dried oregano. You can also add red pepper flakes, garlic powder, or a few cloves garlic (minced). The balsamic sauce is delicious over roasted vegetables or even a simple salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, and feta.
More Easy Chicken Recipes
If you like this easy balsamic chicken recipe, you might also like some of these other easy chicken recipes: Share your recipe picture by tagging @wholesomeyum and hashtag it #wholesomeyum on Instagram, or in our Facebook support group, too – I’d love to see it! Recipe reprinted with permission from Big Boards For Families by Sandy Coughlin. I reduced the red onions from two to one.
