It’s no secret that chicken breast is a healthy and versatile food that can be prepared in many different ways. However, it can be boring to eat if it’s always prepared the same way.
That’s why we’re bringing you a delicious and healthy recipe for apple balsamic chicken. This recipe combines the sweet and acidic flavor of apple juice with the intense flavor of balsamic vinegar to create a dish that is both flavorful and healthy.
Why should you try Apple Balsamic Chicken?
Eating chicken breast every day can become dull, but this recipe, with just 2 Weight Watchers points, allows you to add a fun twist to your diet without deviating from your path to success.
While you can grill or bake this recipe, using the Instant Pot is highly recommended. It yields the most tender and juicy chicken breasts you can imagine. Plus, it takes less than 5 minutes to prepare. If you can spare the time, marinate the chicken for added flavor.
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Serving size: 250 g.
2 WW Points Per Serving
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 550 g.
- 1 cup (240 ml) unsweetened apple juice
- 3 tbsp of balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: A few sprigs of fresh rosemary
- 1 tsp olive oil
Instructions:
1. In a bowl, combine the apple juice, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Optionally, add fresh rosemary sprigs for an extra aromatic touch. Seal the bag or cover the dish and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. For richer flavor, marinate overnight.
2. Place the marinated chicken breasts directly into the Instant Pot along with a little water or chicken broth to provide moisture.
3. Close the Instant Pot lid, set to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 10-12 minutes. Allow the Instant Pot to release pressure naturally for about 5 minutes. Carefully quick-release any remaining pressure.
4. Remove the chicken from the Instant Pot and let it rest for a few minutes. Optionally, drizzle the reduced cooking liquid over the chicken for extra flavor. Serve the apple balsamic chicken over a bed of your favorite sides.
Variations and Substitutions
- Add apple chunks. To create a natural applesauce, add a few apple chunks to the chicken during cooking. Then, blend everything together in a blender and serve with the chicken.
- Use a different vinegar. If you don’t have balsamic vinegar, you can use wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or regular vinegar.
- Add Dijon mustard. To add a different flavor twist, add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard.
Tips and Tricks for making Apple Balsamic Chicken
- Marinate the chicken. Marinating the chicken overnight will give it an even more intense flavor.
- Use water and apple juice. Instead of using only water for cooking, use a mixture of water and apple juice. This will give the chicken a sweeter and more acidic flavor.
- Cook extra chicken breasts – whether grilled, Instant Pot-cooked, or by your preferred method. Cooked chicken breasts are versatile. From this particular recipe, cube it and add to an arugula and apple salad for a finger-licking treat.
WW Points
Uncooked boneless skin-less chicken breast 0 points
Balsamic vinegar 2 points
Olive oil 1 points
Unsweetened apple juice 5 points
Table salt 0 points
Black pepper 0 points
Instant Pot Apple Balsamic Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 550 g.
- 1 cup (240 ml) unsweetened apple juice
- 3 tbsp of balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: A few sprigs of fresh rosemary
- 1 tsp olive oil
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the apple juice, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Optionally, add fresh rosemary sprigs for an extra aromatic touch. Seal the bag or cover the dish and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. For richer flavor, marinate overnight.
- Place the marinated chicken breasts directly into the Instant Pot along with a little water or chicken broth to provide moisture.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, set to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 10-12 minutes. Allow the Instant Pot to release pressure naturally for about 5 minutes. Carefully quick-release any remaining pressure.
- Remove the chicken from the Instant Pot and let it rest for a few minutes. Optionally, drizzle the reduced cooking liquid over the chicken for extra flavor. Serve the apple balsamic chicken over a bed of your favorite sides.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
