Honey Balsamic Chicken
This recipe is a winner! You will love its easy ingredients and quick prep and your family will love its great taste.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken cut into parts or use 1 ½ - 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard (use wheat/gluten-free if needed)
- 2 tsp. dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/8 tsp. black pepper optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Put the chicken in a large baking dish. (If using boneless chicken breasts, bake them at 350 degrees for 25 – 30 minutes until they are just cooked through.)
- Spray a microwave-safe measuring cup with nonstick cooking spray, add the honey, and warm it in the microwave for 15 – 20 seconds to make it easier to stir.
- Add the remaining ingredients into the cup and whisk it together with a fork. Brush the mixture on the chicken and bake it (or at this point you can marinate it for up to 24 hours) for 1 hour or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, flipping it once. Serve it immediately, refrigerate it for up to 3 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months.
Slow Cooker Directions
- Put the chicken in the slow cooker, combine the sauce ingredients as above, and pour evenly over the chicken. Cook for 6 - 8 hours on low or 3 – 4 hours on high. For a browner skin, transfer the chicken to a baking sheet and broil it for 3 – 5 minutes before serving. (Note: boneless chicken breasts can get overcooked in the slow cooker, so check for doneness at the low-end of the cooking time and avoid leaving them on the warming function.) (Slow cooker cooking times may vary—Get to know your slow cooker and, if necessary, adjust cooking times accordingly.)
Notes
Do Ahead or Delegate: Cut up the chicken if necessary and refrigerate, make the marinade and marinate the chicken in the refrigerator, or fully prepare and refrigerate or freeze the dish.
Scramble Flavor Booster: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes and/or 1 tsp. – 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard to the marinade. The longer the chicken marinates, the more flavorful it will be.
Tip: Go ahead and play with your food! Recent research has found that meals that were plated in a more creative or fun way were judged as more appealing. This is a strategy to consider when offering foods to kids that they may typically snub. Some ideas to brighten up plates are cutting ordinary foods into fun shapes or working contrasting colors onto the plate with garnishes or drizzles of condiments. Patterns or face designs can be a big hit, too.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (% based upon daily values): Calories 192, Total Fat: 2g, 2%; Saturated Fat: 1g, 2%; Cholesterol: 66mg, 22%; Sodium: 176mg, 7.5%; Total Carbohydrate: 18g, 6%; Dietary Fiber: 0g, 0%; Sugar: 18g; Protein: 27g
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