Name: Baked Balsamic Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 kg / 2 lb chicken thighs (5 pieces, bone in, skin on), or drumsticks or wings (any combination); 1/4 cup (65 ml) balsamic vinegar; 2 1/2 tbsp / 50 ml soy sauce (all purpose or light, not dark soy sauce); 1/4 cup (85 g / 65 ml) honey; 1/4 cup (45 g) brown sugar, loosely packed; 2 garlic cloves, minced (or 1 1/2 tsp garlic paste from jar)

Description

This baked balsamic chicken recipe offers juicy, flavorful chicken thighs glazed in a sweet and tangy balsamic honey sauce. The chicken is oven-baked to perfection with a sticky, caramelized sauce that enhances the natural richness of the meat. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or a special meal, it serves 4 and pairs well with rice, potatoes, or steamed vegetables.

Ingredients

Chicken

1 kg / 2 lb chicken thighs (5 pieces, bone in, skin on), or drumsticks or wings (any combination)

Sauce

1/4 cup (65 ml) balsamic vinegar
2 1/2 tbsp / 50 ml soy sauce (all purpose or light, not dark soy sauce)
1/4 cup (85 g / 65 ml) honey
1/4 cup (45 g) brown sugar, loosely packed
2 garlic cloves, minced (or 1 1/2 tsp garlic paste from jar)

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 180C/350F to prepare for baking the chicken.
Prepare Baking Dish: Line a baking dish with foil and then with baking or parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
Make Sauce: In a bowl, thoroughly mix the balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, and minced garlic to create the glaze.
Arrange Chicken: Place the chicken pieces in the baking dish, skin side down for thighs and wings. Ensure the pieces are close together, no more than about 4 inches (10 cm) apart, so the sauce can reduce properly without evaporating too quickly or too little.
Initial Bake: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Turn and Baste: After 30 minutes, turn the chicken pieces over and spoon more sauce over them to coat well.
Final Bake: Continue baking for an additional 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened into a sticky glaze.
Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes out of the oven, then spoon remaining sauce over the chicken before serving.

Notes

Note 1: You can use a mix of chicken thighs, drumsticks, or wings depending on your preference.
Note 2: Lightly packed brown sugar is recommended to balance sweetness without overwhelming the sauce.
Ensure the baking dish is not too large, or the sauce will reduce too much and become dry.
Letting the chicken rest helps retain moisture and distribute the sauce evenly.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American, Fusion