Lemon Basil Chicken with Balsamic Strawberries

You can make this Lemon Basil Grilled Chicken with or without the Balsamic Strawberries but I highly recommend you don’t skip them because this combination is incredibly delicious. The chicken is so flavorful from the marinade and the strawberries add a burst of tangy sweetness that completes this dish. I like to serve it over fresh arugula and pile on extra Balsamic Strawberries because why not!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

When the bright flavors of strawberries and balsamic combine its pure magic! Lemony chicken grilled to perfection in a matter of minutes and served with the strawberries on top is the perfect and easy dinner that the whole family will love!

Ingredients You Will Need

Chicken Breast: is a lean cut of meat that can be baked, grilled or poached. I love the chicken from Grass Roots Coop and you can use PENNYP to save 15%.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: stands out as an excellent choice for grilling chicken, adding richness and enhancing the natural flavors of foods with its versatility. My favorite olive oil is from Garcia de la Cruz Olive You

Lemon Juice: adds a fresh, bright, and tangy element, which can help balance the richness of the other ingredients.

Garlic: fresh is best for obtaining a little stronger touch of garlic flavor than the sweeter touch you would obtain from powder.

Basil: fresh basil complements the other bright flavors from the strawberries and balsamic.

Strawberries: are sweet fruits rich in vitamin C.

Balsamic Vinegar: adds a distinctive bold, tart and complex flavor to the strawberries.

Medjool Date Syrup: is added to this dish provides as it lends a natural sweetness and a caramel-like flavor.

Salt and Pepper: salt enhances the overall flavor of the dish and ground black pepper adds a gentle heat.

Instructions

Get the chicken ready: by cutting the chicken breast in half lengthwise if thick and place in a zip lock bag.

Make the marinade: by whisking together oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt & pepper.

Combine marinade with chicken: by pouring it over the chicken. Then zip bag closed squeezing out air and massage chicken well. Refrigerate at least 3 hours.

Balsamic Strawberries: combine all of the ingredients for the Balsamic Strawberries in a bowl and mix well. Set aside.

Prepare the grill: Heat your grill up.

Grill the chicken: Cook chicken 4-6 minutes per side depending how thick they are or till thickest part reaches 165 degrees.

Plate the chicken: remove from grill, cover with foil and let rest for 5 minutes.

Garnish: by spooning the Balsamic Strawberries over the chicken and garnish with fresh basil if desired. Be sure to serve the extra strawberries on the side!

Enjoy!

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Make the Balsamic Strawberries ahead of time: Go ahead and make the Balsamic Strawberries a day ahead as the flavor will be even better the second day!

Marinating the chicken: Lemon juice, like other acidic ingredients, can tenderize meat, but prolonged marinating can cause the meat to have a mushy texture. For this reason I recommend marinating 3-4 hours tops.

Recipe Variations

Chicken Thighs: You can use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast. Just adjust your grill time accordingly.

Peaches: Sweet peaches make an amazing swap for the strawberries in this recipe too.

Storage Tips

You can store this Lemon Basil Chicken with Balsamic Strawberries in the fridge for 4-5 days when placed in a sealed airtight glass container. I recommend keeping the chicken separate from the strawberries.

FAQs About Lemon Basil Chicken with Balsamic Strawberries

What to serve with Lemon Basil Chicken?

I love serving this with my Balsamic Strawberries over a bed of fresh arugula. It would also be delicious with grilled asparagus or any other vegetables you love! Rice is also a delicious side.

What rice goes good with lemon chicken?

Jasmine rice or long grain white rice would be a nice accompaniment to this dish as would cauliflower rice if you want to keep it Paleo or Whole30 friendly.

What does balsamic vinegar do to strawberries?

Balsamic vinegar brings out the berries beautiful color and truly enhances their flavor.