This balsamic grilled chicken is SO full of flavor from the marinade. A quick stint on the grill and a 4-ingredient sauce top it off. Oh, did I mention the spicy honey and bacon? Yeah.
Originally published July 27, 2014
My doctor found a funny mole on my back once a couple years ago. It was melanoma. I feel kind of awkward bringing it up because when people hear the word “cancer” they automatically think of chemo and hospitals and shaved heads, and the alarm bells go off.
Mine wasn’t like that. Melanoma is skin cancer, and it was just in the first stages, thank goodness. I didn’t even bother telling my mom about it for a few days because I didn’t think it was that big of a deal. I mentioned it to her in passing on the phone and she flipped, of course.
And don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I wasn’t worried. I mean who wants cancer? Especially when you’re only 24? Melanoma is pretty common with older folks, whose skin has simply been used up after 80 years of wear and tear. But me? Young, sunscreen-loving, lily-white me?
I had outpatient surgery to have the melanoma removed from my upper back and that was that. The end.
It’s strange. It’s not like it weighs on me. All I have to do is see a dermatologist every year. At my checkup today the worst I heard was that I apparently have dandruff. For real. She’s like, “Use Neutrogena, it will help.”
Dandruff? Are you kidding me? It’s like they’re desperate to diagnose me with something, because I barely have any moles left for them to examine. My skin looks great, they say.
And I feel guilty. That’s why I feel weird bringing up the C-word. One Harry Potter scar on my back and I’m good to go. I feel like it doesn’t really deserve the cancer title.
Maybe I should just start referring to it as my Dandruff Surgery that I had that one time. And I have to get a checkup every year to make sure I don’t need any more Dandruff Surgery. So next year when I talk about my dandruff doctor, who will hopefully still be just a dandruff-finding doctor and not a melanoma-finding doctor, you’ll know not to worry too much.
Making Grilled Chicken with Spicy Honey Bacon Glaze
In other not-so-serious news, Eric and I bought a grill for the first time a few weeks ago. Woohoo! We have been grilling up a storm. I found this recipe for Balsamic Grilled Chicken with Spicy Honey Bacon Glaze last summer. It’s from The Pioneer Woman, so of course it’s amazing. The best part is how easy it is. Marinate some chicken, make a 4-ingredient sauce, and throw it together. Easy! And ridiculously good. The chicken is so tender.
I also like to make this recipe with salmon. Why have I not thought about combining salmon and bacon before this? It’s a good choice. Viva la bacon!
Grilled Chicken Marinade
Use the good stuff. McCormick’s Montreal Steak seasoning is classic.
Spicy Honey Bacon Glaze
Here’s all you need to make the glaze…super easy.
Oh and can’t forget the bacon! Duh.
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One year ago: Leftover Hot Dog Pizza with Caramelized Onions
Four years ago:Â Cream Cheese Chicken Chili (Slow Cooker)
Six years ago: Chicken Shawarma
Balsamic Grilled Chicken with Spicy Honey Bacon Glaze
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts*, left whole or cut into thick strips diagonally
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 3/4 cup olive oil , or vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons steak seasoning
For the glaze:
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 3/4 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce, I used Frank's
Instructions
- In a large ziplock bag, squish together 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar, 3/4 cup oil, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons steak seasoning. Add the chicken breast, thighs, or salmon filets. Seal and refrigerate for a few hours. (If you are marinading salmon, grill them after 1-2 hours at the longest or it will get mushy. If you are doing chicken, you can do it 2-3 days in advance if you want.)
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Make the glaze. In a large pan, cook the bacon until it is crisp, then remove to a paper-towel-lined plate and let cool. If you didn't chop it, crumble it now. Set aside.
- Drain the grease from the pan, but don't clean it. Add the honey, worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Let bubble over medium heat. Once it is bubbly, add in the chopped bacon. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes until it has thickened lightly, then remove from heat. The glaze will continue to thicken as it cools down.
- Grill the chicken or salmon over medium-high heat. Discard the marinade, or use it to brush the fresh veggies you should be grilling. Don't forget to brush the grill with oil first or it will stick. Cook 2-4 minutes per side, until it is no longer pink for the chicken, or until it flakes tenderly with a fork for the salmon.
- Serve topped with the bacon glaze. I like to serve this with grilled veggies on the side, like tomatoes and baby bell peppers. It would also be good with baked beans.
“Harry Potter scar.” This is why I love you so. You get that Harry Potter isn’t just a book series. It’s a life style.
So glad to hear you’re doing well – and it’s just dandruff. The glaze on this chicken looks fabulous!
Oh. My. Goodness… Gorgeous! Spicy Honey Bacon Glaze? This is soooo happening this week at my house!
So glad you are okay now Karen and totally love your awesome attitude about it :)Super loving this balsamic chicken too – it looks amazing! And with that bacon glaze? Drool! Pinned!
I have mad respect for your no-nonsense and humorous approach to your experience with cancer. I tend to be slightly hypochondriac-ish and freak out if I have a headache two days in a row or spot a slightly suspicious freckle. Thanks for bringing it down. And somehow making a post about cancer funny…and delicious. Seriously, did you ever think all those things would be in the same sentence?
Adding this to my must-try list!
So glad you were able to get rid of the mole and be cancer-free! I need to check my skin more often too since I’m so pale and have lots of freckles/moles. I’m crazy with sunscreen now, but I had a couple bad burns when I was younger so you never know!
But, in regards to this chicken…it looks uhmazing! Can’t wait to try this recipe out…I’m always looking for good recipes for the grill!
You’re right, I freaked out a little- I knew quite well what melanoma was. Thank heaven for modern medicine and procedures! And thank heaven for you! And bacon- this looks delicious :)
You’re killin’ me this morning Karen, this looks so good and it’s not even 10AM!
Karen, you’re amazing. If only everyone was as no-nonsense and strong and just like, REASONABLE as you. Woohoo for no more skin cancer!! That story of those two old ladies that kept you company while waiting for your prognosis was hilarious!
Karen, I just love your great attitude about your “dandruff” surgery! You are my kind of person! I’m sure some people would get super dramatic, woe is me, and make it a gigantic deal. Love your positive attitude about it at all. And also *super* glad that you’re ok, of course!
I’m curious, did your doctor spot the melanoma? Or did you notice a mole that was looking odd? I’m always keeping an eye on my own skin, and would love to know what to look out for.
This balsamic chicken looks delicious! Bacon just makes everything better : )
You had me at bacon glaze. This looks finger lickin’ good! You’re going to have so much fun playing with your new grill.
I’m sure Brian would crawl right into these pictures if he could…not for the meat of course, for the grilled veggies. Haha! But seriously, yum.
Well I am definitely glad you are okay! That must have been so scary!
I pretty much want to marry this chicken. I love balsamic and honey…and with BACON GLAZE? My taste buds fell off my face. Pinned!
I love all your grill recipes because we are in the same boat! brand new grill that is just waiting to be used :) I’m pale and freckly and I’m in the dermatologist every year too. They always cut something off and test it- fun stuff :) My husband wants to move to Hawaii and I keep telling him that my pale skin can’t handle it!