The balsamic herb marinade adds brightness and depth while helping keep the chicken moist and flavorful on the grill. Fresh rosemary and basil pair beautifully with the tangy balsamic vinegar, creating a marinade that feels fresh, light and incredibly versatile.
Serve this grilled chicken with salads, roasted vegetables, pasta, rice or tucked into sandwiches and wraps. It’s one of those dependable recipes that’s simple enough for busy nights but delicious enough to serve to company.
⭐️ Grilled Chicken with Balsamic Herb Marinade: recipe at a glance
- Quick and Easy: The marinade comes together in minutes and the chicken cooks quickly on the grill.
- Flavor: Balsamic vinegar, fresh lemon juice, garlic, rosemary and basil create a bright, savory and perfectly balanced marinade.
- Versatile: Serve this grilled chicken with salads, rice, pasta, roasted vegetables or tucked into wraps and sandwiches.
- Meal Prep Friendly: This chicken stays juicy and flavorful, making it great for lunches and easy dinners throughout the week.
- Budget-Friendly: Chicken breasts are an affordable protein option that can stretch into multiple meals.
- Dietary: Naturally gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free and high-protein. Nut-free and egg-free.
✔️ Ingredients, Substitutions and Swaps
For the complete list of ingredients and exact quantities, check the printable recipe card below.
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless skinless chicken breasts cook quickly and absorb the marinade beautifully. Pounding the chicken to an even thickness helps it cook evenly and stay juicy.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Balsamic vinegar adds tangy sweetness and depth of flavor while helping tenderize the chicken.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice brightens the marinade and balances the richness of the olive oil.
- Olive Oil: Helps distribute the marinade evenly while protecting the chicken from drying out on the grill.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic adds bold savory flavor that pairs beautifully with balsamic vinegar and herbs.
- Fresh Rosemary: Adds earthy, woodsy flavor that complements grilled chicken especially well.
- Fresh Basil: Brings brightness and freshness to the marinade.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning the chicken and enhancing all the flavors in the marinade.
🔎 How to Make Grilled Chicken Breast with Balsamic Herb Marinade?
Scroll to the printable recipe card for complete detailed instructions and cooking times.
- Pound the chicken: Using a meat mallet, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness for more even cooking.
- Make the marinade: In a large bowl or resealable bag, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, rosemary, basil, salt and pepper.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken and toss until evenly coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
- Preheat the grill: Heat the grill to medium-high heat and lightly grease the grill grates.
- Grill the chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade and grill for 3 to 4 minutes per side or until cooked through.
- Rest before serving: Transfer the chicken to a plate and allow it to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing or serving.
💡 Recipe Tips: Prep & Adjustments
- Pound the chicken evenly: Chicken breasts cook more evenly when they are similar in thickness, preventing dry edges and undercooked centers.
- Don’t marinate too long: Because the marinade contains both balsamic vinegar and lemon juice, avoid marinating longer than 4 hours or the texture of the chicken can become mushy.
- Let the chicken sit at room temperature briefly: If marinated in the refrigerator, allow the chicken to sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before grilling for more even cooking.
- Use an instant-read thermometer: Remove the chicken from the grill when the internal temperature reaches 155°F to 160°F. During resting, carryover cooking will bring the temperature to a safe 165°F.
- Rest the chicken before slicing: Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, helping keep the chicken juicy.
🤔 Frequently Asked Questions
How long should you marinate chicken in balsamic vinegar?
For the best flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours. Because balsamic vinegar and lemon juice are acidic, marinating too long can affect the texture of the chicken.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes! Boneless skinless chicken thighs work beautifully in this recipe and tend to stay extra juicy on the grill.
Can I cook this chicken on a grill pan?
Absolutely. A grill pan is a great indoor option and still creates delicious charred flavor.
How do I keep grilled chicken breasts juicy?
Pounding the chicken evenly, avoiding overcooking and allowing the chicken to rest before slicing all help keep chicken breasts juicy.
Can I freeze grilled chicken?
Yes. Grilled chicken freezes well for up to 3 months. For the best texture, freeze the chicken before slicing.
🔎 What to Serve with Grilled Balsamic Chicken?
✔️ Make Ahead, Storage, Freezing & Reheating
- Make Ahead: The marinade can be prepared up to 2 days ahead and stored refrigerated until ready to use.
- Storing: Store leftover grilled chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Cooked grilled chicken can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Reheat gently in the microwave or in a skillet over low heat until warmed through. Can be eaten cold or at room temp as well.
💛 Intentional Cooking
Your priorities, your recipe. Learn about Intentional Cooking.
Environment: Using fresh herbs, lemon and pantry staples to flavor chicken is an easy way to create a satisfying meal without relying on heavily processed sauces or marinades. Simple ingredient-driven cooking can help reduce packaging waste while making everyday meals feel fresh and homemade.
Animal Welfare: If it fits your budget, look for pasture-raised or Certified Humane® chicken. Supporting farms with higher animal welfare standards can help encourage more responsible farming practices.
Time & Convenience: Marinated grilled chicken is perfect for meal prep and can be repurposed throughout the week in salads, grain bowls, sandwiches and wraps.
👀 Take a look at these other grilling recipes:
Grilled Chicken Breast with Balsamic Herb Marinade
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 large lemon, juiced, (about 1/4 cup)
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoon honey, or maple syrup (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts halves
- Oil to grease the grill or grill pan
Instructions
- Using a mallet, pound the chicken to an even thickness.
- In a large bowl, resealable bag (or a shallow bowl), whisk together the balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, honey (if using), rosemary, basil, salt and pepper. Add the chicken and toss until coated with the marinade. Gently squeeze the air out of the bag. Marinate for 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
- Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (375 – 450 degrees Fahrenheit). Carefully grease the cooking grates with the oil. If using a grill pan, heat the pan over medium-high heat and add a little oil to the grill pan.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade. Discard the marinade. Grill the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes per side or until cooked through. Cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken and your grill’s heat.
- Remove the chicken from the grill. Allow chicken to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing or serving.
Notes
- Pound the chicken evenly: Chicken breasts cook more evenly when they are similar in thickness, preventing dry edges and undercooked centers.
- Don’t marinate too long: Because the marinade contains both balsamic vinegar and lemon juice, avoid marinating longer than 4 hours or the texture of the chicken can become mushy. Do not freeze raw chicken in the marinade. While defrosting the meat will become mushy due to the high acid in the marinade.
- Let the chicken sit at room temperature briefly: If marinated in the refrigerator, allow the chicken to sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before grilling for more even cooking.
- Make Ahead: The marinade can be prepared up to 2 days ahead and stored refrigerated until ready to use.
- Storing: Store leftover grilled chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Cooked grilled chicken can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Recipe Update Note: This post was originally published in 2021 and has been updated with improved instructions, helpful tips, and additional information to better serve our readers.
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