This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
Need a fast, healthy dinner that doesn’t leave your kitchen looking like a tornado hit it? This Balsamic Honey Chicken Stir-Fry is your weeknight winner. It’s packed with protein, loaded with fresh veggies, and coated in a tangy-sweet sauce that pulls it all together without a pile of dishes to wash afterward.
Why You’ll Love It
This recipe is what I call real-life friendly: one pan, under 20 minutes, and made with ingredients you likely have on hand. Perfect for those nights when your kids are bouncing off the walls and your energy is tanking.
We love using in-season veggies like asparagus and green beans, but feel free to make it your own with whatever you’ve got. The real hero here? The balsamic honey glaze. It’s slightly sweet, a little salty, and brings everything together with zero added junk.
Pair it alongside my favorite salad for a complete summer meal!
As a nutritionist, I am always looking for meals I can make ahead on the weekend that are healthy and versatile to enjoy during the week! This grilled chicken fits the bill. So simple to make, flavorful, and adds a healthy protein to any side dish!
Quick Tips for Success
Prep first: Chop all veggies and chicken before turning on the stove. It makes things go smoother and faster.
One pan magic: Sauté the veggies first, then add chicken and cook until done.
Sauce it up: Whisk together balsamic vinegar, coconut aminos, honey, sesame oil, and fresh ginger while everything cooks. Add red chili flakes for a kick!
Thicken if needed: Stir in arrowroot or cornstarch if you prefer a saucier stir-fry.
Serve it hot: This dish is best freshly served over cauliflower rice or jasmine rice, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. If you are short on time, try my quick & easy 10-minute rice hack!
Serving and Storing
Veggie subs: Try bell pepper, broccoli, zucchini, or snap peas.
Coconut aminos note: Some brands are sweeter than others—if yours is on the sweeter side, cut honey to 1 tbsp.
Meal prep: Make the chicken ahead, and serve throughout the week with salad, or in a wrap. Chicken will last for up to 1 week in the fridge. This keeps well in the fridge for up to 4–5 days. Great for lunches!
Healthy, fast, and totally family-approved, this stir-fry is a dinner you’ll want to keep on repeat. I usually make it in the morning and let it marinate all day, though even an hour or two works perfectly if you forget. I love serving it alongside refreshing sides like Basil Lime Fruit Salad, a chilled Real Spanish-Style Gazpacho, or Cucumber Tomato Salad or a colorful, flavorful meal.
Is this recipe Paleo and Whole30?
To make this recipe Paleo, omit the soy sauce and use coconut aminos instead. Also, omit the sugar if using coconut aminos as this option is already sweet enough. This also makes the recipe Whole30 friendly!
Grilled Rosemary and Balsamic Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breast
- 2/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/3 cup olive oil or avocado oil
- 2 tbsp GF Tamari soy sauce or Coconut Aminos
- 2 tbsp brown sugar*
- 1/2 cup finely chopped rosemary
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place your chicken breasts in a large ziploc bag, or container.
- Place vinegar, oil, soy sauce, and brown sugar into a food processor.
- While motor is running, add rosemary and garlic. Pulse for about 1 minute, or until nice and smooth.
- Pour marinade onto the chicken, and let marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour up to 10 hours.
- Prepare your charcoal or propane grill.
- Grill each breast until 165 degrees internal temperature or until no longer pink inside (usually takes 6-8 minutes per side).
How long should this marinate for? I see two different sets of times.
In the description it lists as long as 10 hours but in the recipe instructions it says up to 1 hour. Could you clarify please thank you.
Yes, the recipe card says at least an hour, but you can marinate up to 10 hours. So if you want to make in the morning and then grill later, that works! Otherwise marinate for an hour before putting on the grill.
Thanks Amy. I ended up pounding the chicken breasts to even thickness and marinating for 2 hours. It was delicious! A big hit with our friends.
So happy to hear that!! Thanks for sharing.
This was delicious! I love the flavour balsamic vinegar adds to dishes and this was no different. Balsamic vinegar and fresh rosemary is such a tasty pairing. Glad I made extras for leftovers!
Made this with fresh rosemary from the garden. Delicious! My chicken turned out a little tough but that’s not the author’s fault lol. Flavor was great. Will make again.
Hi,
The rosemary and balsamic Chicken sound delicious, do you have a nice sauce that would complement the dish?
Thank you,
Cat Coleman
How can this be Gluten Free if it uses Soy Sauce?
Hi there! I use either coconut aminos or GF Tamari Sauce in all of my recipes. This is one of my first (older recipes) and one that does not state to use one of those options. I will change that now!