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Juicy grilled chicken spicy honey bacon glaze served on a white plate with grilled vegetables

Balsamic Grilled Chicken with Spicy Honey Bacon Glaze

Juicy balsamic-marinated grilled chicken topped with a sweet and smoky four-ingredient spicy honey bacon glaze. Easy, bold, and perfect for weeknight dinners or summer cookouts.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Marinating Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 678

Ingredients
  

  • 4 chicken breasts left whole or cut into thick diagonal strips
  • 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar quality aged balsamic recommended
  • 3/4 cup vegetable or olive oil
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar packed
  • 2 tbsp Montreal steak seasoning McCormick's recommended
  • 6 slices bacon chopped, thick-cut preferred
  • 3/4 cup honey
  • 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp hot sauce Frank's RedHot recommended, adjust to taste

Equipment

  • Outdoor grill or grill pan
  • Large zip-lock bag
  • Large skillet
  • Meat thermometer
  • Paper towels

Method
 

  1. In a large zip-lock bag, combine balsamic vinegar, oil, brown sugar, and steak seasoning. Add the chicken breasts, seal the bag, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 2 to 3 days in advance.
  2. When ready to cook, preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400 degrees F). Brush the grill grates with oil to prevent sticking.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy and golden, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove to a paper-towel-lined plate and let cool. Crumble if needed and set aside.
  4. Drain most of the bacon grease from the pan but do not wipe it clean. Add the honey, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Let the mixture bubble over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 2 to 3 minutes.
  5. Once bubbly, stir in the crumbled bacon. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the glaze thickens slightly, then remove from heat. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
  6. Remove chicken from the marinade and discard the liquid. Grill for 6 to 8 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F and the outside has a golden char. Thicker chicken breasts may need up to 8 to 10 minutes per side.
  7. Serve the grilled chicken immediately, topped generously with the warm spicy honey bacon glaze.

Notes

Marinate chicken up to 2 to 3 days in advance for deeper flavor. The bacon glaze can be made ahead and gently reheated before serving. This recipe also works great with salmon filets. Adjust hot sauce quantity to control heat level. Always verify doneness with a meat thermometer rather than relying on color alone.