Dijon balsamic chicken is an easy, elegant way to entertain! When we have casual dinners with close friends, I don’t want to be spending time in the kitchen instead of socializing. That’s why this recipe is perfect.
Over the years I’ve learned a few ways to make sure the food is prepped in advance and I get to be a part of the conversation! Smoking salmon or ribs is one amazing way to do this, but it does mean you are with the smoker for the better part of the day before your guests arrive.
If you are short on time the same day of the party, the next best thing is a marinade. I go back to this recipe over and over, and I get so many compliments on it. Best of all, it makes me look like dinner is effortless! Actually, it is – especially if you can get your significant other to grill the chicken. That leaves you to focus on are the side dishes.
Also Check out this post on building your own marinade
FYI – this recipe makes enough for 8 chicken breasts (4 couples). If you are prepping for a dinner party for fewer, you can either halve the recipe, OR make it all in a bowl and save half in the freezer for your next socially distanced outdoor gathering.
Dijon Balsamic Chicken Recipe:
Prepare 12-24 hours in advance:
- 1/2 C chicken broth
- 1 C Good quality Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 1/2 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Minced Garlic
- 2 Teaspoons dry Mustard
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 Cup prepared Dijon Mustard
Add all ingredients to a gallon freezer bag, seal tightly, massage to mix.
Add 8 chicken breasts, remove the air & seal tightly, massage the marinade with the chicken.
Allow the marinading chicken breasts to rest in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When your guests arrive, remove the chicken from the fridge and allow the meat to come to room temp while you are chatting and enjoying your wine or appetizers prior to grilling.
Marinated chicken should be grilled for the same amount of time you would grill an un-marinated chicken breast. About 5 minutes per side, depending upon how fat they are. Try not to adjust the chicken once they are on the grill. Flipping them only once gives you the beautiful sear marks on each side of the chicken.
Enjoy!
