Effortless Entertaining: Master the Art of Easy Balsamic Chicken Skewers

Every host eventually discovers their unique entertaining style, often through a series of culinary experiments and occasional mishaps. Some excel at elaborate brunches, while others prefer the casual charm of a backyard grill. There are those who meticulously plan every detail, from bespoke cocktails to perfectly curated table settings, weeks in advance. Then there are those who embrace spontaneity, sending a last-minute text to gather friends for an impromptu get-together. The beauty lies in this diversity, celebrating each approach.

For me, a food blogger by profession, many might assume my home is constantly buzzing with gourmet creations. Yet, my true preference, especially when hosting a crowd, leans towards simplicity. While I occasionally enjoy indulging in a fancy, multi-course meal for a special occasion, my go-to strategy for most gatherings involves quick, 30-minute meals that require minimal last-minute fuss. My ultimate goal is to connect with my guests, focusing my attention on the vibrant conversations and shared laughter, rather than being perpetually tied to the kitchen preparing an overly complicated spread.

This philosophy brings us to a recent triumph – a delightful meal I prepared for friends using two of my favorite time-saving hacks: effortless skewers and the ingenious SaladSavors from DeLallo. These elements combine to create a stress-free, incredibly delicious dining experience, perfect for any casual get-together.

Unlocking Effortless Entertaining: The Power of Prep and Convenience

Let’s talk about these unsung heroes of convenient cooking, starting with SaladSavors. If you follow my culinary journey on Instagram, you’ll know that DeLallo’s SaladSavors have become an indispensable pantry staple in my home. Described by DeLallo as “gourmet toppings made simple,” I affectionately call them “salad-in-a-minute” kits. The concept is pure genius: simply grab a bag of fresh salad greens, combine them with your chosen SaladSavor blend (which typically includes cheese and an array of gourmet toppings), drizzle with your favorite dressing, and voilà! A vibrant, fresh, and utterly delicious salad is ready in an instant. They come in five enticing flavor profiles like “zesty,” “vibrant,” “fresh,” “sharp,” and “bold,” each offering a unique combination of premium ingredients to elevate your salad game.

I am an enthusiastic advocate for SaladSavors, not only because they provide an excellent solution for whipping up a quick and impressive salad for guests, but also for everyday meals. They are a lifesaver for speedy lunches and, for those living solo, a brilliant way to enjoy fresh ingredients without worrying about larger packages of cheese or toppings expiring before you can use them up. Their versatility extends even further; I’ve found them to be fantastic additions to quinoa or rice bowls, and some varieties even make a surprisingly delicious and flavorful breakfast omelette. The possibilities are truly endless!

Crafting the Perfect Grilled Balsamic Chicken Skewers

With grilling season now in full swing, you might have noticed my recent obsession with skewers on the blog. They are, without a doubt, my favorite method for preparing and serving protein (and often vegetables!) during the warmer months. Not only can they be prepped well in advance, minimizing stress when guests arrive, but their individual portions make them incredibly easy to serve. No need for carving or complicated plating – just grab a skewer and enjoy!

One of my all-time favorite summer meals is a generous platter of chicken, beef, or shrimp skewers alongside a colossal green salad. To celebrate a recent collaboration with DeLallo, I’m thrilled to share one of my most beloved and simplest skewer recipes: Balsamic Chicken Skewers. I’ve made these for countless summer gatherings, and they are always met with rave reviews. When paired with a vibrant SaladSavors salad, it’s a match made in culinary heaven – a truly winning combination for any occasion.

The Simple Steps to Balsamic Perfection:

Start by preparing your chicken. Cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. This consistency is key for juicy, perfectly cooked skewers. Next, prepare a simple yet powerful balsamic marinade. Whisk together balsamic vinegar and honey until well combined. This creates a sweet and tangy base that will infuse the chicken with incredible flavor. Toss the chicken pieces with the marinade in a large ziplock bag or mixing bowl, ensuring every piece is thoroughly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, or for optimal flavor, allow it to marinate for up to 8 hours. Remember, if you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 10-15 minutes before threading to prevent them from burning on the grill.

Once your chicken has marinated, it’s time to thread it onto the skewers. Arrange the chicken pieces neatly, ensuring there’s a small space between each piece for better heat circulation and even cooking. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Now, they’re ready for the grill!

Heat your grill to medium-high heat. Lightly grease the grates with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the skewers on the hot grill and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, turning once, until the chicken is no longer pink inside and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). While the chicken cooks, take the reserved balsamic marinade and transfer it to a small saucepan. Bring it to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for about 10-12 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced by about half and thickened into a luscious, syrupy glaze. This reduction process intensifies the flavors, creating a rich, sweet, and tangy sauce. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the grill and brush generously with this divine balsamic glaze. Each skewer will be coated in a sticky, sweet-savory perfection that is truly “balsamincredible.”

The result? Skewers that are beautifully caramelized, tender, and bursting with flavor. The reduced balsamic glaze adds a glossy finish and a depth of taste that transforms simple grilled chicken into something truly special. These ooey-gooey, flavorful skewers are ready to be the star of your meal.

Complementing Your Meal: The One-Minute Salad

While your chicken skewers are grilling or resting, whip up your accompanying salad. Thanks to SaladSavors, this step is remarkably fast – taking mere minutes! Simply combine your favorite fresh greens with your chosen SaladSavors topping mix. For this meal, I opted for the “Fresh” variety, a delightful blend of creamy goat cheese, tart dried cranberries, and crunchy walnuts, providing a fantastic textural and flavor contrast to the chicken. Finish with your preferred dressing; a light Italian vinaigrette or a crisp lemon-herb dressing would be excellent choices, allowing the flavors of the chicken and the SaladSavors to shine.

Then, gather those beautifully glazed chicken skewers…

…and serve them artfully alongside your vibrant salad. This combination offers a delightful balance of sweet, savory, fresh, and tangy flavors, making for a truly satisfying and easy meal. When I served this at an outdoor grilling party with my neighbors a few weeks ago, the unanimous verdict was clear: this pairing is a definite “winner.” I couldn’t agree more!

Below, you’ll find the detailed recipe for these incredible Balsamic Chicken Skewers. Keep scrolling to discover an amazing summer giveaway that’s every entertainer’s dream!

Print Recipe

Easy Balsamic Chicken Skewers

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 –6 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Description

All you need are 5 ingredients (including salt and pepper!) to make these delicious easy balsamic chicken skewers. Perfect as an appetizer or main dish, they are simple to prepare and bursting with sweet and savory flavor. Be sure to check out our incredible giveaway at the bottom of the page!

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups DeLallo balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup honey
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
kosher salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
wooden or metal skewers

Instructions

Prepare Marinade & Chicken: In a large mixing bowl or ziplock bag, whisk together the balsamic vinegar and honey until thoroughly combined to create your marinade. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the marinade and toss until every piece is evenly coated. Seal or cover the container and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes, or for maximum flavor, marinate for up to 8 hours. If using wooden skewers, immerse them in a pan of water for at least 10-15 minutes to prevent them from burning on the grill.
Grill Chicken Skewers: When ready to cook, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade, ensuring you reserve the remaining marinade for later use (do not discard!). Thread the marinated chicken onto the soaked wooden or metal skewers, leaving a small gap between each piece for even cooking. Season the skewered chicken generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Lightly grease your grill grates with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the chicken skewers on the hot grill and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, rotating once, until the chicken is fully cooked through and no longer pink inside (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C). Carefully remove the cooked chicken skewers from the grill and transfer them to a clean serving plate.
Make the Balsamic Glaze: Pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan. Bring the marinade to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and allow it to simmer gently for about 12 minutes, or until the mixture has visibly reduced by half and is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. The glaze will continue to thicken slightly as it cools. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
Glaze & Serve: Using a pastry brush, generously brush the warm balsamic glaze onto all sides of the grilled chicken skewers until they are evenly coated and glossy. Serve the balsamic chicken skewers warm, accompanied by a fresh salad or your favorite side dishes.

Notes

Shortcut Option: For an even quicker preparation, you can marinate the chicken in 1/2 cup of DeLallo’s pre-made balsamic glaze. After grilling the chicken until cooked through, simply brush an additional 1/2 cup of fresh balsamic glaze onto the hot skewers for that signature sweet and savory finish. This saves you the step of reducing the marinade.

Storage: Leftover chicken skewers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the grill, in a pan, or in the microwave.

Vegetable Additions: Feel free to add some colorful vegetables to your skewers! Bell peppers, red onion, cherry tomatoes, or zucchini chunks can be threaded alongside the chicken. Adjust cooking time slightly as needed.

Exciting Summer #SaladSavorsGiveaway!

In anticipation of a summer filled with delightful patio parties featuring the convenience of SaladSavors, we’re thrilled to launch an incredible entertaining giveaway today, valued at over $3000! DeLallo has curated this spectacular prize package to elevate your entertaining experience to new heights. Each participating blogger, including myself, contributed to the party planning, ensuring a truly exceptional collection of items. Read on for all the exciting details!

Giveaway Prize Details:

One lucky winner will receive a luxurious Al Fresco Dining Experience Set, valued at more than $3000. This grand prize includes:

An exquisite Outdoor Patio Set (comprising a stylish table, four comfortable chairs, and one spacious bench), perfect for gatherings.
A Year of SaladSavors (a generous supply of 10 SaladSavors® packs sent to you monthly), ensuring endless fresh salad creations.
One hand-selected item from each contributing blogger (a total of six premium items):
- A chic Beverage Tub (courtesy of A Spicy Perspective)
- A stunning Porcelain Platter (from Love and Olive Oil)
- A beautiful Wood Platter (a collaboration from Gimme Some Oven & Two Peas and Their Pod)
- A set of six elegant Wood Bowls (personally selected by Gimme Some Oven)
- A large Wood Serving Bowl (from Two Peas & Their Pod)
- A sophisticated Stainless Steel Flatware Serving Set (curated by Skinnytaste)
An extensive assortment of additional entertaining essentials:
- Complete dining flatware and stylish drinkware
- Thoughtfully chosen accessories, tasteful décor, and much more to help you create the perfect, inviting atmosphere for an unforgettable al fresco dining experience!

How To Enter:

To enter this incredible giveaway, simply follow the instructions provided via the Rafflecopter link below. The giveaway will be open for entries through June 22. Don’t miss your chance to win this dream entertaining package!

Click here to enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway!

Discover More Delicious Recipes from My Friends:

Be sure to visit my fellow blogger friends’ sites for more inspiring recipes that pair perfectly with your SaladSavors:

Beef Skewers with Sharp Salad Savors | A Spicy Perspective
Wedge Salad with Buttermilk & Black Pepper Dressing | Love & Olive Oil
Grilled Cumin Spiced Pork Tenderloin | Skinny Taste
Roasted Red Pepper, Arugula & Mozzarella Sandwich | Two Peas & Their Pod

Disclaimer: This post and giveaway are sponsored by DeLallo. I am incredibly excited to partner with DeLallo this year to bring you delightful Italian-inspired recipes. As always, all opinions expressed here are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands I genuinely love and which help make this site possible.