Balsamic Grilled Chicken with Spicy Honey Bacon Glaze
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
6 mins
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Chill Time
2 hrs
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Total Time
2 hrs 21 mins
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Servings
4 Servings
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Calories
678 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Balsamic Grilled Chicken with Spicy Honey Bacon Glaze
Description
The recipe begins with marinating chicken breasts (or thighs or salmon) in a blend of balsamic vinegar, oil, brown sugar, and steak seasoning, which infuses the chicken with mild sweetness and acidity balanced by savory spices. The marinade can be prepared hours or days in advance, allowing deep flavor absorption.
While the chicken marinates, a glaze is prepared by cooking crisp chopped bacon, then combining it with honey, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce in the rendered bacon fat. This glaze is slightly thickened over heat to coat the chicken during grilling, imparting layers of smoky bacon, sweetness from honey, and a spicy kick from hot sauce.
The chicken is grilled over medium-high heat, cooked through while absorbing the glaze for a caramelized exterior. The combination of the balsamic-infused marinade and spicy bacon honey glaze creates a satisfying balance between tangy, sweet, and smoky spicy notes. Serving this chicken works well as a main dish paired with salads, grilled vegetables, or rice.
Adjust the quantities and types of protein to the number of servings desired, and marinate salmon for a shorter time to preserve texture. The glaze thickens further after removal from heat, so timing is important to maintain brushability during grilling.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breast left whole or cut into thick strips diagonally
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 3/4 cup olive oil or vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons steak seasoning
For the glaze:
- 6 lices Bacon chopped
- 3/4 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce I used Frank's
Instructions
- In a large ziplock bag, squish together 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar, 3/4 cup oil, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons steak seasoning. Add the chicken breast, thighs, or salmon filets. Seal and refrigerate for a few hours. (If you are marinading salmon, grill them after 1-2 hours at the longest or it will get mushy. If you are doing chicken, you can do it 2-3 days in advance if you want.)
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Make the glaze. In a large pan, cook the bacon until it is crisp, then remove to a paper-towel-lined plate and let cool. If you didn't chop it, crumble it now. Set aside.
- Drain the grease from the pan, but don't clean it. Add the honey, worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Let bubble over medium heat. Once it is bubbly, add in the chopped bacon. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes until it has thickened lightly, then remove from heat. The glaze will continue to thicken as it cools down.
- Grill the chicken or salmon over medium-high heat. Discard the marinade, or use it to brush the fresh veggies you should be grilling. Don't forget to brush the grill with oil first or it will stick. Cook 2-4 minutes per side, until it is no longer pink for the chicken, or until it flakes tenderly with a fork for the salmon.
- Serve topped with the bacon glaze. I like to serve this with grilled veggies on the side, like tomatoes and baby bell peppers. It would also be good with baked beans.
Notes
- Marinate salmon no longer than 1-2 hours to prevent mushy texture; chicken can marinate up to 2-3 days.
- Adjust number of protein pieces based on marinade capacity and desired servings.
- The glaze thickens as it cools; prepare close to grilling time for best consistency.
- This recipe adapts well for chicken breasts, thighs, or salmon fillets with similar marinating and glazing methods.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 678 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1chicken breast | |
| Calories | 678kcal | 34% |
| Carbohydrates | 69g | 23% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 45g | 69% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 31g | 155% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 12mg | 4% |
| Potassium | 254mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 65g | 130% |
| Vitamin A | 73IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 53mg | 5% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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