Description

Balsamic Grilled Chicken with a Spicy Honey Bacon Glaze is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish perfect for outdoor grilling. The chicken is marinated in a tangy balsamic mixture, then grilled to juicy perfection and topped with a sweet, spicy, and savory bacon-infused glaze. This recipe delivers a balanced combination of smoky, sweet, and spicy flavors ideal for a summer barbecue or weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

4 chicken breasts (left whole or cut into thick diagonal strips)
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
3/4 cup olive oil (or vegetable oil)
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons steak seasoning

Spicy Honey Bacon Glaze

6 slices bacon, chopped
3/4 cup honey
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)

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Instructions

Prepare the Marinade: In a large ziplock bag, combine 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar, 3/4 cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons steak seasoning. Add the chicken breasts, seal the bag, and refrigerate for a few hours to marinate, ideally 2-3 hours or up to 2-3 days for deeper flavor absorption.
Preheat the Grill: Set your grill to medium-high heat to ensure the chicken cooks evenly and develops a nice char without drying out.
Cook the Bacon: In a large pan, cook the chopped bacon until it is crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain and cool. Crumble further if desired.
Make the Bacon Glaze: Drain the bacon grease from the pan but do not clean it. Add the honey, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce to the pan. Heat until the mixture bubbles, then stir in the cooked bacon pieces. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the glaze thickens slightly, then remove from heat. The glaze will continue to thicken as it cools.
Grill the Chicken: Oil the grill grates to prevent sticking. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade. Grill the chicken over medium-high heat for 2-4 minutes per side or until no longer pink in the center and juices run clear.
Serve: Plate the grilled chicken and generously brush or drizzle with the spicy honey bacon glaze. Serve with your choice of grilled vegetables like tomatoes and baby bell peppers, or baked beans for a complete meal.

Notes

Marinate chicken for at least 2 hours, but it can be done up to 3 days ahead for a stronger flavor.
If using salmon instead of chicken, marinate for only 1-2 hours to avoid mushiness and adjust grilling time accordingly.
Always brush the grill grates with oil before cooking to prevent sticking.
The glaze thickens as it cools—if it becomes too thick, gently warm it to loosen before serving.
Leftover glaze can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.