This grilled chicken recipe with balsamic bbq sauce makes the most tender, juicy and delicious chicken breasts ever!! A simple marinade with a bold rich balsamic bbq sauce elevates this dish like no other. The tomato and strawberry salsa is a perfect side with its fresh sweet and tangy flavours. The best!!
Love it when summer is here and grilling season has started and making recipes with the fresh local strawberries and tomatoes. I love these flavours from start to finish with the juicy chicken breasts coated with a homemade balsamic barbecue sauce adding that punch of flavours to the chicken breasts. Then a perfect pairing with the tomato and strawberry salsa is a win-win dish!!
Currently, life has been crazy busy for me and trying to squeeze in some new recipes and testing them to make sure they are delicious and well, let’s say, easy enough to make that won’t take hours. I am in the process of moving so taking each day at a time to pack a few boxes here and there. But a girl has to eat, right?!
What has inspired me lately and it seems that way every year when fresh local produce becomes available. For this recipe, it was the tomato and strawberry salsa, which I had lots of and needed to make something that would complement this delicious salsa flavours.
RECIPE INGREDIENTS AND TIPS
Boneless and Skinless Chicken Breast: chicken breasts only need about 6-8 minutes on each side and leave them longer will dry them out; chicken thighs can also be used for this recipe, just keep in mind if they are boneless and skinless they will need less time on the grill.
Marinade: only 4 ingredients to keep it simple when the balsamic bbq sauce is bold in flavour: extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice is added to tenderize the chicken, salt and pepper
Balsamic BBQ Sauce: I used organic balsamic vinegar, ketchup, honey or maple syrup is an option, fresh garlic, salt and pepper
Tomato and Strawberry Salsa: fresh strawberries and make sure they are not over ripe, it will make the salsa mushy, firm yet bright red cherry or grape tomatoes, red onion, parsley, extra virgin olive oil, lime juice, salt and pepper, feta is optional or goat cheese would be another favourite of mine
HOW TO MAKE THE GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST
- Make Marinade: Using a large ziplog bag, add chicken breast, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Make sure the chicken breast are well coated. Marinade chicken in the refrigerator for 30 minutes up to 2 hours.
- Balsamic Barbecue Sauce: On low-medium heat, in a small sauce pan combine, balsamic vinegar, ketchup, honey or maple syrup and garlic. Simmer for 15 minutes until the sauce thickens and will reduce slightly. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Grill chicken breast on each side for 6-8 minutes. Using a basting bruch, coat each side with balsamic bbq sauce. Remove from grill and allow to rest for 3-5 minutes. Before serving, brush more of the bbq sauce of each breast if desired. Slice and serve with tomato and strawberry salsa. Crumble feta or goat cheese. Enjoy!
HOW TO MAKE THE TOMATO AND STRAWBERRY SALSA
Making a salsa to add to your grilled chicken is a game-changer! It adds this fresh tangy yet sweet flavour that complements the meal. Try this salsa on other grilled meats such as lamb, beef or pork and fish would also be a delicious option.
Strawberries should be a deep rich red colour, firm and sweet without any bruises or soft spots. The cherry tomatoes should be the same, firm, bright red in colour and sweet.
Tomato Strawberry Salsa: In a medium bowl, add strawberries, tomatoes, red onion, olive oil, lime juice, parsley, salt and pepper. Gently combine and set aside.
Making a salsa to add to your grilled chicken is a game-changer! It adds this fresh tangy yet sweet flavour that complements the meal. Try this salsa on other grilled meats such as lamb, beef or pork and fish would also be a delicious option.
Strawberries should be a deep rich red colour, firm and sweet without any bruises or soft spots. The cherry tomatoes should be the same, firm, bright red in colour and sweet.
Tomato Strawberry Salsa: In a medium bowl, add strawberries, tomatoes, red onion, olive oil, lime juice, parsley, salt and pepper. Gently combine and set aside.
GRILLING TIPS FOR THIS DELICIOUS BALSAMIC CHICKEN BREASTS
Honestly, grilling is one of the most flavourful ways to prepare meals and I think we can ALL agree on that!
- Always preheat your grill ahead of time and check the temperature, it should be no less then 350 degrees.
- Allow the chicken breast to sit out at room temperature for 15 minutes before placing it on the grill.
- Brush or spray a vegetable oil to the grill grates to avoid the chicken from sticking
- Avoid moving the chicken breasts too many times, just enough to make sure the chicken is cooking through.
Once the chicken breasts are removed from the grill, allow them to rest for a few minutes. If you like you can cover with foil until ready to eat. Some of the juices will release but once you cut into the chicken breast, it is so juicy and tender. Add some more of the balsamic bbq sauce if you like.
Since the grill is hot, add some of your favourite veggies and for me it was zucchini and asparagus. Coat them with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. I garnished this meal with fresh basil which was a perfect combination of flavours!! I really hope you give this dish a try. I promise you, you will love it and much as we did! I would love it if you would leave me a comment and rating.
BEST METHOD FOR STORING
Chicken will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days in a sealed container. Warm it in the oven at 275 degrees for 20-25 minutes with a lid on to avoid the chicken from drying out.
The tomato strawberry salsa will last a day or 2 in the refrigerator. Make sure it is stored in a air-tight container with a lid.
Did you make this recipe? I would love to hear your comments……..
More Summer recipes to try......
Grilled Chicken Breast with Balsamic BBQ Sauce and Tomato Strawberry Salsa
Equipment
- Outdoor or indoor grill
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, skinless and boneless (2 chicken breasts)
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- salt and pepper
Tomato Strawberry Salsa
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
- 1/2 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, diced
- 3 tbsp red onion, diced
- 2 tbsp parsley
- 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp lime juice
- salt and pepper
- feta for garnishing (optional)
Instructions
- Make Marinade: Using a large ziplog bag, add chicken breast, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Make sure the chicken breast are well coated. Marinade chicken in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- Balsamic Barbecue Sauce: On low-medium heat, in a small sauce pan combine, balsamic vinegar, ketchup, honey or maple syrup and garlic. Simmer for 15 minutes until the sauce thickens and will reduce slightly. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Tomato Strawberry Salsa: In a medium bowl, add strawberries, tomatoes, red onion, olive oil, lime juice, parsley, salt and pepper. Gently combine and set aside.
- Grill chicken breast on each side for 6-8 minutes. Using a basting bruch, coat each side with balsamic bbq sauce. Remove from grill and allow to rest for 3-5 minutes. Before serving, brush more of the bbq sauce of each breast. Slice and serve with tomato and strawberry salsa. Crumble feta if desired. Enjoy!
