This 5-Ingredient Chicken Feels Fancy But Couldn't Be Easier

As a private chef, I’ve found that families want to eat chicken breast at least once or twice a week. And over the years, I’ve had a few picky eaters in various households. A kid who doesn’t like my cooking can derail my best laid plans. I also know that the chicken breast is a blank slate and can be boring if you don’t develop a repertoire of dishes that keep it interesting. There’s nothing as sad as a dry, overcooked chicken breast without a good saucy topping.

One dish that always comes through in a time crunch and makes people very happy is a quickly seared breast in a simple pan sauce, like this honey balsamic chicken. My clients give it multiple thumbs up and often request it. Even if you have lost track of time, you can make this quick and delicious dinner.

A Dinner the Kids Will Love, Too

Cooking for kids with less adventurous palates can be challenging. I’ve found that two tricks can help. One is to make the food a little bit sweet, with fruit, and in this case, a little drizzle of honey. That’s usually a crowd-pleaser. The second trick is to just keep it simple. Sometimes a picky eater is just overwhelmed by complexity. 

In this easy recipe, the chicken breast stays moist and juicy and has a lovely golden brown surface. The colorful grapes add even more juicy appeal and pop in your mouth when you eat them. The pan sauce is reduced to a glossy drizzle, made savory with chicken stock and the tang of vinegar.

Variations on a Winning Dish

This recipe is pared down to the essentials, but if you have a few more minutes to prep, a few embellishments can make it even better. Sometimes I add a couple of sprigs of rosemary to the pan after taking the chicken out and sauté them for a few seconds before adding the liquids. That’s also a good time to add a minced shallot or garlic clove. 

Other vinegars—like sherry vinegar or white wine vinegar—can also change the flavor profile. Or you can substitute all or part of the chicken stock with white wine for adult palates. I’ve also used part orange or apple juice for the liquid, and it was well-received.

What To Serve With Honey-Balsamic Chicken

This is such an easy dish that you’ll have time to cook a pot of rice, or you can make it extra easy on yourself and simply mop up the sauce with a hunk of baguette. A crisp mixed green salad or your favorite steamed vegetable will put a little green on the plate next to the purple grapes, to really make it pop both visually and flavor-wise.