Straightforward balsamic hen marinade has huge taste—excellent for grilling hen breasts, thighs, drumsticks, or kabobs all summer season lengthy!

Balsamic Marinade Recipe
I normally make this grilled hen breast recipe with garlic and crimson wine vinegar all summer season lengthy, however I like to modify issues up, and this simple balsamic marinade is a simple method to try this! It’s nice for grilling season and meal prepping hen for the week. Made with much less oil than most recipes require, it’s a lighter, more healthy option to pack daring taste into any lower of hen—breasts, cutlets, thighs, drumsticks, or kabobs. With only a few easy substances like balsamic vinegar, Dijon, and rosemary, it comes collectively in minutes.
Substances You’ll Want
Listed here are the balsamic hen marinade substances. See the recipe card under for the precise measurements.
- Further Virgin Olive Oil gives moisture for the hen and balances the marinade’s acidity.
- Balsamic Vinegar: The acid tenderizes meat by breaking down the proteins and infuses the hen with a candy, tart taste.
- Rosemary for a recent, earthy aroma
- Dijon Mustard for tanginess
- Salt and Black Pepper for seasoning. Salt additionally helps maintain hen moist and tender, so it’s juicy as soon as cooked.
The best way to Make Balsamic Rooster Marinade
Right here’s the straightforward step-by-step instructions. See the recipe card for printable instructions.


- Make the balsamic marinade by whisking all of the substances in a big bowl.
- Marinate the Rooster: Toss the hen within the marinade and let it sit at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes or refrigerate it for as much as 5 hours. For those who select to marinate it at room temp, don’t let it sit out for any longer than an hour to make sure it’s suitable for eating.
Word: Don’t depart the hen for longer than the advisable time. The marinade’s acid will begin to break down the hen, making it stringy or mushy.

The best way to Cook dinner Balsamic Rooster
Grilling Directions:
I grilled boneless, skinless hen breasts over medium warmth for 4 to six minutes on either side. To ensure they’re absolutely cooked, insert an instantaneous learn meat thermometer into the thickest a part of the breast—it ought to learn 165°F.
Grilling kabobs? Cook dinner them for 12 to fifteen minutes, rotating each couple of minutes for even char and doneness.
Air Fryer Directions:
Desire the air fryer? Observe my instructions for:
These strategies work completely with this balsamic marinade and assist lock in taste whereas protecting the hen juicy.

Variations
- Herbs: Rosemary is a traditional, however you need to use no matter you might have accessible. Strive it with chives, oregano, or thyme, and if you wish to use multiple, go for it. Dried herbs would additionally work.
- Oil: Substitute olive oil for avocado oil.
- Seasoning: Add further seasoning, like onion powder or garlic powder.
- Protein: Do this balsamic marinade on pork
Yield: 4 servings
Serving Dimension: 1 /4 of recipe
Add the entire substances to a mixing bowl and whisk till emulsified. Add the hen to the bowl and gently toss to coat it within the marinade.
Cowl and let sit at room temperature for Half-hour- 1 hour, or cowl and switch to the fridge to marinate for as much as 5 hours.
Final Step:
Please depart a ranking and remark letting us know the way you favored this recipe! This helps our enterprise to thrive and proceed offering free, high-quality recipes for you.- This marinade works for 1 to 1½ kilos of hen (breasts, cutlets, thighs, drumsticks, or kabobs). Double the recipe for bigger quantities.
- The marinade could be made forward and saved within the fridge for as much as 1 week.
- Marinate hen for Half-hour to five hours—not, or the vinegar might have an effect on the feel.
- Let hen sit at room temperature earlier than cooking for even outcomes.
- Grill over medium warmth to keep away from burning the marinade.
- Use recent rosemary for finest taste (or substitute ½ tsp dried).
- Evenly oil grill grates to stop sticking.
- You may freeze uncooked hen within the marinade for as much as 2 months.
Serving: 1 /4 of recipe, Energy: 65.5 kcal, Carbohydrates: 1 g, Protein: 0.5 g, Fats: 7 g, Saturated Fats: 1 g, Sodium: 310 mg, Fiber: 0.5 g, Sugar: 0.5 g
Balsamic Rooster Marinade Useful Suggestions
- Don’t over-marinate (within the fridge): Half-hour to five hours is right. After that, the vinegar can begin to break down the hen and have an effect on the feel.
- Room temp = juicy hen: Let hen sit out for Half-hour earlier than cooking so it cooks extra evenly.
- Use recent rosemary: It provides the very best taste, however dried works in a pinch—use ½ teaspoon dried if wanted.
- Keep away from excessive warmth on the grill: Balsamic marinade can burn shortly over excessive flames. Grill over medium warmth to stop charring and guarantee juicy hen.
- Oil the grill grates: Helps forestall sticking, particularly with lean hen breasts.
- Double the batch: Simply scale the marinade for meal prep or bigger portions of hen.
- Wish to prep forward? Freeze it: Add uncooked hen and marinade to a freezer bag and freeze for as much as 2 months. The marinating stops whereas frozen, then resumes because it thaws—simply cook dinner it as soon as absolutely thawed.
What to Serve With Balsamic Rooster
Whether or not you’re firing up the grill for a summer season gathering or making a fast weeknight dinner, this hen pairs effectively with a wide range of sides. Listed here are some favourite pairings:
Meal Prep Concepts:
This hen can also be nice chilled or reheated in:
- Salads with leafy greens and goat cheese
- Grain bowls with quinoa, farro, or brown rice
- Sandwiches or wraps with lettuce and roasted crimson peppers
Storage
- Refrigerate marinade an hermetic container for five days.
- Freezer: Add uncooked hen and marinade to a freezer bag and freeze for as much as 2 months.
- Thaw it within the fridge the day earlier than, then cook dinner it as soon as absolutely thawed.

Extra Grilled Rooster Recipes You’ll Love
For extra dinner concepts utilizing hen, try these 5 scrumptious hen recipes to encourage your subsequent meal!
For those who make this wholesome balsamic hen marinade recipe, I’d like to see it. Tag me in your pictures or movies on Instagram, TikTok, or Fb. And you should definitely be part of the Skinnytaste Group to see what everybody’s cooking!