{Weeknight Meals} Herbed Balsamic Chicken with Blue Cheese

My mom passed this recipe on to me raving about how good and easy it is. I put it to the test last night ... I worked, and then was home alone with 14 week old Graham (Curtis is traveling for work) and this dinner was quick, easy and doable! Oh and very good! I scaled the recipe down and just made one chicken breast, but wish I would have cooked a few so I'd have leftovers for lunch this week.

Full disclosure:
1.) I was so hungry while I was getting this together that I ate a cookie to hold me over. It was really good, so I ate one more.
2.) The baby did cry once or twice and I had to stop and pick him up. Apparently my cooking lessons aren't that exciting.
3.) I didn't marinate the chicken for two hours like the recipe suggests. That would have worked only IF I had thought to do it before we took Murray dog for a walk but it sat in the good stuff for at least 30 min which seemed to do the trick.

My mom's additions were the thyme and garlic, so if you don't have either, this recipe could be even simpler. But I recommend growing thyme in your yard. It comes back year after year and you don't have to do a thing to keep it going. Easiest way to have fresh herbs on hand!

Herbed Balsamic Chicken with Blue Cheese

6 skinless boneless chicken breast halves

½ cup balsamic vinegar

Garlic

Thyme

3 T. olive oil

2 tsp. kosher salt, divided

1 ½ tsp. freshly ground pepper

1 3- to 4- oz. wedge blue cheese, cut into 6 slices (or crumbled goat cheese)

Place chicken in zip-lock.  Whisk vinegar, 3 T. oil, 1 ½ tsp coarse salt, garlic, fresh thympe and 1 tsp. pepper in bowl.  Add to chicken.  Chill for 2 hours (or less or marinate it the night before if you're planning ahead).

Prepare BBQ…..medium-high heat.  Spray grill with cooking spray.  Grill chicken until cooked through, about 6 min. per side.  Transfer to plates and top with cheese.

I served the chicken sliced over a salad, but it would also be delicious as a burger or sandwich or plain with a side of grilled asparagus! 

And here are today's pictures of Graham playing with his awesome nanny, Lisa. It's hard work following a toy learning to hold that big, adorable head up!