When it comes to summer grilling, this balsamic chicken marinade is the one I come back to every single time. Made with just a handful of pantry staples, it delivers bold, tangy, savory flavor that works on any cut of chicken and comes together in about two minutes flat.

This balsamic marinade has been years in the making, tweaked and tested until it hit exactly the right balance. Balsamic vinegar brings the tang, olive oil adds richness, garlic gives it depth, and a pinch of sugar ties it all together. That is truly it.

No complicated ingredients, no special equipment, just a ziplock bag and a little time in the fridge. It works beautifully on chicken breasts, thighs, drumsticks, and kabobs, making it the most versatile marinade in my rotation. This is one of my favorite chicken recipes!

Balsamic Chicken Marinade Ingredients

Seven simple ingredients that you almost certainly already have on hand. Here is what each one brings to the marinade:

• Olive Oil: The fat base of the marinade that helps it cling to the chicken and keeps everything juicy and tender on the grill.
• Balsamic Vinegar: The acid component that tenderizes the chicken while adding that rich, tangy, slightly sweet depth of flavor the whole marinade is built around.
• Dijon Mustard: Acts as an emulsifier that helps bind the oil and vinegar together while adding a subtle tangy depth to the overall flavor.
• Honey: Balances the acidity of the vinegar and mustard with natural sweetness and helps create a beautiful caramelized finish when grilled.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds a bold, savory punch that infuses into the chicken as it marinates.
• Dried Basil: Brings a subtle, herby, Italian-inspired flavor that complements the balsamic beautifully.
• Salt: Seasons the chicken all the way through and enhances every other ingredient in the marinade.
• Black Pepper: Adds a gentle heat and a little bite that keeps the marinade from being one-note.

This recipe uses pantry staples, making it perfect for meal prep or feeding a group. Measurements can be found in the recipe card below. 

How to Make Balsamic Chicken Marinade

This could not be simpler. Here is all it takes:

1. Combine: Add all the ingredients to a ziplock bag or airtight container and mix well.
2. Add: Place the chicken into the bag with the marinade and seal tightly, pressing out as much air as possible.
3. Marinate: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours for the deepest flavor.
4. Cook: Grill, bake, or pan sear the chicken using your preferred method until cooked through. Using a meat thermometer ensure the chicken reaches an Internal Temperature of 165 F 

The longer the chicken marinates, the d

This Asian chicken marinade is the easiest way to make juicy, flavorful chicken at home. It’s sweet, savory, and packed with bold flavor from simple ingredients like soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger.

Whether you’re grilling, baking, or meal prepping, this easy marinade transforms a simple chicken breast into something incredibly delicious. This is the marinade we use when we want guaranteed juicy, flavorful chicken every time.

Why You’ll Love This Asian Chicken Marinade

• Made with simple pantry ingredients
• Sweet, savory, and perfectly balanced
• Works for grilling, baking, or stovetop
• Great for meal prep and freezer meals
• Makes chicken incredibly juicy and tender

Ingredients for Asian Chicken Marinade

You’ll find most of these ingredients already in your pantry or refrigerator…

• Ground Ginger: Adds warm, slightly sweet spice and classic Asian-inspired flavor to the marinade.
• Ground Pepper: Brings a subtle heat and depth that balances the sweetness of the sauce.
• Onion Powder: Adds savory, slightly sweet onion flavor without any texture.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic gives bold, aromatic flavor that deepens as the marinade cooks.
• Sweet Chili Sauce: Adds a touch of sweetness with mild heat and helps create that sticky, glossy finish.
• Soy Sauce: Provides salty, umami-rich flavor that forms the base of the marinade.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Adds tangy sweetness and helps balance the richness of the sauce.
• Honey: Brings natural sweetness and helps the sauce caramelize beautifully when cooked.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep, molasses-like sweetness that enhances the sticky glaze.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce so it coats the chicken perfectly.
• Water: Used to create a slurry with the cornstarch for smooth thickening.
• Chicken Breasts: Lean and tender, they soak up the marinade for juicy, flavorful results.

How to Make Asian Chicken Marinade

1. Make the Sauce: Whisk all the ingredients for the sauce together in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until it comes to a boil. When it starts to boil, whisk in the cornstarch and water mixture. Reduce the heat and let it simmer until thickened. Then let it cool completely.
2. Marinate the Chicken: Once the sauce is cool, pour half of it over the chicken in a ziploc bag. Let it marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour. Reserve the other half of the sauce for later.
3. Grill the Chicken: Heat a grill to medium-high heat, then add the chicken and reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 5-6 minutes then flip and grill for 5-6 minutes more.
4. Serve: Let the chicken rest for 3 minutes then slice and serve with
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If you have ever found yourself standing in the kitchen at 5 pm with absolutely no plan, these 10 easy dinner ideas when you don’t know what to cook are about to save your night. From fast weeknight fixes to hearty crowd-pleasers, every single one is simple, delicious, and guaranteed to get dinner on the table without the stress.

Fast and Flavorful

When the clock is ticking, these recipes have your back. All big on flavor and short on time. These easy dinner ideas are perfect for families or simple get-togethers.

If you have been looking for the perfect hearty, but fresh, summer dish, this green goddess pasta salad is it. Vibrant and loaded with crisp vegetables and a creamy blended herb dressing, it is everything you love about the viral green goddess trend made to be the star of the table.

This recipe started as a simple question: if the green goddess chopped salad was that good, could we make it even more filling? The answer is a very enthusiastic yes. The dressing is blended from scratch with fresh basil, spinach, lemon, and cashews, and it is SO good you will want to put it on everything. Paired with tender pasta and bright steamed veggies, this is the kind of salad that actually satisfies.

Green Goddess Salad Ingredients

Three components make up this salad recipe: the pasta, veggies and the homemade green goddess dressing made from fresh herbs. Here is what you need:

The Base

• Pasta Shells: Small or medium shells are perfect here because they catch and hold onto the dressing in every bite.
• Frozen Peas: Quick to cook and naturally sweet, they add a pop of color and freshness throughout the salad.
• Asparagus: Chopped into small pieces and lightly steamed, asparagus adds a tender crunch and earthy flavor.
• Green Onions: Mild and bright, they add a subtle savory note without overpowering the other flavors. Also called scallions. 
• Avocado: Chopped small and folded in, avocado adds a creamy richness that complements the dressing beautifully.
• Baby Spinach: Used in both the salad and the dressing, spinach is the backbone of that gorgeous green color and mild, earthy flavor.

The Green Goddess Salad Dressing

• Fresh Basil: The hero of the dressing, basil brings that signature green goddess flavor that is fresh, fragrant, and absolutely irresistible.
• Garlic: Adds depth and a little punch to the dressing.
• Shallot: Milder than a regular onion, shallot gives the dressing a subtle savory sweetness.
• Lemon: Both the lemon juice and zest go into the dressing for bright, fresh acidity that ties everything together.
• Olive Oil: Gives the dressing its silky, smooth texture.
• Cashews: Roasted and salted cashews blend into the dressing to give it a creamy, nutty body without any dairy.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, savory depth to the dressing that takes it completely over the top.
• Rice Vinegar: A splash of gentle acidity that balances and brightens the entire dressing.

Simple, fresh ingredients! Find measurements and detailed instructions in the recipe card below.

How to Make Green Goddess Pasta Salad

This comes together in just a few easy steps, and m

This chicken caprese is a fresh, flavorful dinner made with juicy chicken, ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and basil all finished with a drizzle of balsamic glaze. We love to use the grill but you can also bake in the oven or fry in a pan. Bonus points for being a quick and healthy chicken recipe!

It’s everything you love about a classic caprese salad, turned into an easy, satisfying main dish. Whether you grill it, bake it, or cook it in a skillet, this caprese chicken recipe comes together quickly and feels just a little bit elevated without any extra effort.

What is Chicken Caprese?

Chicken caprese is a simple dish inspired by the classic Italian caprese salad, made with chicken, fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and balsamic glaze.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Caprese

• Hands-on prep time is less than 30 minutes
• Fresh, simple ingredients
• Naturally low-carb (8g) and high-protein (61g)
• Works on the grill, stovetop, or oven
• Perfect for weeknights or entertaining

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chicken Breasts: the juicy, protein-packed base
• Tomatoes: fresh and vibrant
• Fresh Mozzarella: creamy and melty
• Fresh Basil: adds bright, herby flavor
• Balsamic Glaze: sweet and tangy finish
• Olive Oil + Seasonings: simple flavor builders

👉 Optional (but highly recommended!): balsamic marinade for extra flavor (see below)

How to Make Chicken Caprese

1. Prepare the chicken: Season (or marinate) the chicken breasts.
2. Cook the chicken: Grill, bake, or pan-sear until fully cooked (see section below for instructions for each).
3. Add toppings: Top each piece with sliced mozzarella and tomatoes.
4. Melt the cheese: Let the mozzarella melt slightly in the broiler.
5. Finish and serve: Drizzle with balsamic glaze and sprinkle with fresh basil. Serve immediately while warm and melty.

👉 Chicken is done when it reaches 165°F internally.

Ways to Cook Chicken Caprese

Grilled Chicken Caprese – Adds smoky flavor and is perfect for summer.

• Heat a grill to medium-high heat, then add the chicken and reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 6-7 minutes per side depending on thickness.

Baked Chicken Caprese – Easy, hands-off and great for weeknights.

• Preheat the oven to 350℉. Place the chicken in a baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray and bake for 30 minutes uncovered, or until chicken reaches 165°F internally.