Grilled Balsamic Chicken

If your summer dinner plan is "throw something on the grill and call it good," this grilled balsamic chicken is going to earn a regular spot in the rotation. It's juicy, sweet, tangy, and made with a quick balsamic marinade that turns basic chicken breast into something that tastes like you put in way more effort than you did. 

As a Southern RD, I love a good grill recipe that feels fresh and balanced without making you fuss over a long ingredient list. The balsamic vinegar brings that bold tang, brown sugar adds just enough sweetness, and Worcestershire sauce, Dijon, garlic, and Italian seasoning round it out with savory flavor. It's simple, dependable, and perfect for those warm-weather meals where the grill does most of the work. 

It's the kind of chicken you can serve with grilled corn and potatoes, slice over a big summer salad, or tuck into a chicken Caprese sandwich with pesto, tomato, and mozzarella. Easy enough for a weeknight, but pretty enough for the cookout table!

If you love easy grilling recipes, you'll also want to try my honey mustard chicken tenders for another delicious protein option!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Balanced, family-friendly flavor: Chicken breast is a great lean protein option. Plus the sweet, tangy, savory marinade pairs well with fresh summer sides like potatoes, salads, corn, or rice without being too spicy!
• Great for summer: This is the kind of recipe that works for backyard BBQs, pool days, picnics, and easy dinners on the porch.
• Meal prep friendly: Leftovers are great in salads, wraps, sandwiches, rice bowls, or quick lunches throughout the week.

Ingredients for Grilled Balsamic Chicken Marinade

This recipe uses simple ingredients that build big flavor without making the marinade complicated.

• Chicken breast: Boneless chicken breasts work well for this recipe. Try to use pieces that are similar in size, and pound them to an even thickness so they cook evenly.
• Balsamic vinegar: This gives the chicken that signature tangy flavor and helps tenderize the meat.
• Extra virgin olive oil: Olive oil helps the marinade coat the chicken and keeps it from sticking to the grill.
• Light brown sugar: Brown sugar balances the vinegar and helps the chicken caramelize on the grill.
• Worcestershire sauce: This adds a savory depth that makes the marinade taste richer.
• Dijon mustard: Dijon adds tang and helps the marinade come together.
• Italian seasoning: This brings in easy herby flavor without needing several separate seasonings.
• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives the best flavor, but garlic powder can work if that's what you have.
• Salt and black pepper: These help season the chicken and bring all the flavors together.

See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and measurements.

Substitutions & Variations

You can absolutely make this grilled balsamic chicken work with what you have or how you plan to serve it.

• Use boneless skinless chicken thighs if you want a juicier cut that holds up well on the grill.
• Make it Caprese-style by topping the grilled chicken with spicy bruschetta and balsamic glaze.
• Turn this into balsamic chicken kabobs by cutting the chicken into chunks and threading it onto skewers with bell peppers, zucchini, red onion, or cherry tomatoes.
• Swap in honey or maple syrup for the brown sugar if you want a slightly different sweetness in the marinade.
• Add crushed red pepper flakes to the marinade if you like a little heat with the sweet and tangy flavor.
• Make a grilled balsamic chicken sandwich by layering sliced chicken on ciabatta with pesto, mozzarella, tomato, and arugula.
• Serve grilled balsamic chicken over a strawberry mixed green salad for an easy summer salad.

How to Make Grilled Balsamic Chicken

The key to juicy grilled balsamic chicken is an easy marinade, even chicken thickness, and not overcooking it.

Step 1: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If they are thick in some spots, gently pound them to an even thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin.

Step 2: In a medium bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, light brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3: Add the chicken breasts to a large zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure each piece is well coated.

Step 4: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours for the best flavor and texture.

Step 5: Preheat the grill to medium heat, about 375°F to 400°F. Clean and lightly oil the grill grates so the chicken does not stick.

Step 6: Remove the chicken from the marinade and let any excess drip off. Discard the used chicken marinade.

Step 7: Place the chicken on the grill and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until the thickest part reaches 165°F.

Step 8: Transfer the chicken to a clean plate and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Step 9: Serve warm with your favorite summer sides, or slice it for salads, wraps, sandwiches, or meal prep bowls.

Tips For Best Balsamic Grilled Chicken

A few simple tips make the difference between grilled chicken that is just fine and grilled chicken people keep grabbing off the platter before dinner.

• Pound the chicken to an even thickness so each piece cooks at the same rate and stays juicy.
• Give the chicken at least 30 minutes of marinating time so the balsamic marinade can flavor the meat before it hits the grill.
• Avoid a mushy texture by keeping the marinating time under 8 hours for chicken breasts.
• Let the excess marinade drip off before grilling so you avoid flare-ups and too much charring.
• Use a meat thermometer to pull the chicken from the grill as soon as the internal temperature  reaches 165°F.
• Slice the chicken against the grain if you plan to serve it over salads, sandwiches, or meal prep bowls.

What to Serve with Grilled Balsamic Chicken

This chicken goes with so many easy summer sides, which makes it perfect for both weeknight dinners and cookouts.

Serve it with:

• Serve it with Mexican smashed potatoes or grilled corn for a flavorful summer side that feels fun, filling, and perfect for grilling season.
• Pair it with summer pasta salad or strawberry caprese pasta salad for a make-ahead cookout side.
• Serve it with fresh strawberry salad for a lighter plate with berries, greens, creamy goat cheese, and a little crunch.
• Add sangria fruit salad for a fresh, juicy side that works especially well for BBQs, picnics, and pool days.
• Pair it with light squash casserole for a Southern-style summer dinner that still feels balanced.
• Turn leftovers into rice bowls, wraps, or sandwiches for an easy lunch the next day.
• Make it part of a full grilling menu with grilled honey mustard chicken tenders so guests have two easy chicken options with different flavors.

Storage

This grilled balsamic chicken stores well, so it is great for leftovers and easy lunches.

• Refrigerator: Store cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
• Reheating: Reheat gently in the microwave, air fryer, or a covered skillet until warmed through. Try not to overheat it so the chicken does not dry out.
• Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
• Freeze in marinade: You can freeze the raw chicken directly in the marinade. Add the chicken and marinade to a freezer-safe bag, remove as much air as possible, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before grilling.