Balsamic Chicken Marinade

Last updated on January 26th, 2026

When you’re cooking chicken, using a marinade can often times be the most IMPORTANT part of the process! Allowing those spices and herbs to ooze and soak into the chicken is key to making it juicy and flavorful! This Balsamic Chicken Marinade was unreal! It was so delicious on some grilled chicken breast, but this marinade will work for pretty much any cut of chicken! The longer it sits, the better – just not over 24 hours. All that fresh garlic in there, it was the perfect flavor bomb!

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What ingredients do I need?

Chicken Breast
Garlic Cloves
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Dried Basil
Brown Sugar
Salt
Dijon
Black Pepper
Onion Powder
Chili Powder

How do I make this Balsamic Chicken Marinade?

If using chicken breasts, make sure to trim the fat off and cut them to the size you’d like as you will not want to be cutting into your marinated meat!

Then in a large bowl, whisk all ingredients besides the chicken until combined.

Using your hands, toss the chicken in the marinade until completely covered. Your chicken should be submerged in the marinade, but it shouldn’t be drowning in it.

Place in an air-tight container and refrigerate for 4-6 hours or up to overnight. I let mine sit about 5 hours.

Tips when marinating chicken:

• With this recipe, you don’t want to marinate over 24 hours because the vinegar can start to break down the chicken. Sometimes chicken can marinate longer than this, but it depends on what is in the recipe.
• It’s important to use a container with a tight-fitting lid and it’s important to get the chicken into the marinade and in the refrigerator as soon as possible because this helps prevent the risk of food borne illness.
• You can use this marinade to grill chicken, pan sear it, bake it, whatever you want to do!
• Put your own spin on it if you like! Swap out the basil for Italian Seasoning to give a more diverse flavor profile. Add more brown sugar if you want it to be sweeter or swap the chili powder for cayenne pepper if you want it to be really spicy!
• Check out the Grilled Chicken Sandwich recipe I made with this marinade!

Balsamic Chicken Marinade

The Wholesome Spoon

When you’re cooking chicken, using a marinade can often times be the most IMPORTANT part of the process! Allowing those spices and herbs to ooze and soak into the chicken is key to making it juicy and flavorful! This Balsamic Chicken Marinade was unreal! It was so delicious on some grilled chicken breast, but this marinade will work for pretty much any cut of chicken! The longer it sits, the better – just not over 24 hours. All that fresh garlic in there, it was the perfect flavor bomb!

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 0 minutes mins

Marinating Time 5 hours hrs

Course Main Course, Marinade

Cuisine Italian-American

Servings 6

Calories 240 kcal

Equipment

• Large Mixing Bowl
• Whisk
• Air-Tight Container
• Cutting Board
• Chef Knife
• Measuring Cups and Spoons

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Ingredients

  

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• 2 lbs chicken breast or cut of choice
• 4 garlic cloves minced
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 ½ tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp dried basil
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp Dijon
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp chili powder

Instructions

 

• If using chicken breasts, make sure to trim the fat off and cut them to the size you'd like as you will not want to be cutting into your marinated meat!
• In a large bowl, whisk all ingredients besides the chicken until combined.
• Using your hands, toss the chicken in the marinade until completely covered. Your chicken should be submerged in the marinade, but it shouldn't be drowning in it.
• Place in an air-tight container and refrigerate for 4-6 hours or up to overnight.
• Use your cooking method of choice – grill it, bake it, pan sear, whatever you want! Check out the Grilled Chicken Sandwich recipe I made with this marinade!

Notes

Tips:

The longer your chicken sits in the marinade, the more flavorful it will be!  I let mine marinate for about 5 hours.  Do not let your chicken sit in the marinade over the 24-hour mark though, as this can cause the chicken to start to break down from the acidity in the vinegar.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup marinated chickenCalories: 240kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 44gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 110mgSodium: 420mgPotassium: 330mgFiber: 0gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 90IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg

Please be aware that nutritional values are approximate and intended as a helpful guide

Keyword Balsamic Chicken Recipes, Balsamic Vinegar Marinade, Chicken Marinade, Marinade Recipes, Marinade Recipes for Grilling

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