Balsamic Chicken Thighs with Arugula-Tomato Salad

5.0
(3)
3 Reviews

This easy chicken dinner is a flavor-packed dish where juicy chicken thighs are cooked until golden, then coated in a tangy-sweet balsamic glaze. They’re served over a crisp arugula and tomato salad. It’s a simple dinner for two that tastes delicious and comes together quickly.

By
Pat Tanumihardja
Pat Tanumihardja
Pat Tanumihardja
Born in Jakarta to Indonesian Chinese parents and raised in Singapore, Pat Tanumihardja has been a food and lifestyle writer for over a decade.
EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
Published on September 10, 2025
Reviewed by Dietitian
Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD
Emily Lachtrupp Headshot
Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

Emily Lachtrupp is a registered dietitian experienced in nutritional counseling, recipe analysis and meal plans. She's worked with clients who struggle with diabetes, weight loss, digestive issues and more. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying all that Vermont has to offer with her family and her dog, Winston.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
Recipe images of Balsamic Chicken Thighs with Veggies
Credit:

Food: Sammy Mila, Photos: Jason Donnelly, Props: Breanna Ghazali.
Active Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
25 mins
Servings:
2
Nutrition Profile:
Mediterranean Diet Sesame-Free Weight Loss Diabetes-Friendly Nut-Free Dairy-Free Healthy Aging Healthy Immunity Low-Sodium Soy-Free High-Protein Egg-Free Gluten-Free Low-Calorie
  • This recipe is ready in 25 minutes, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
  • Chicken provides protein to this dinner, a key nutrient needed for bone health.
  • A balsamic-honey glaze adds a nice sweetness that gets balanced by peppery arugula.
Ingredients arranged on a surface including chicken thighs arugula olive oil balsamic vinegar a tomato a lemon and garlic

Food: Sammy Mila, Photos: Jason Donnelly, Props: Breanna Ghazali.
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 2 servings

  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon honey

  • 1 clove garlic, smashed and peeled

  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, divided

  • 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • 2 (5-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed

  • 2 cups baby arugula

  • 1 medium tomato, chopped

  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

  • ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

  1. Combine 2 tablespoons vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, ⅛ teaspoon salt and smashed garlic in a medium bowl; whisk well.

    Mixing bowl with balsamic marinade and a whisk

    Food: Sammy Mila, Photos: Jason Donnelly, Props: Breanna Ghazali.

  2. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add trimmed chicken thighs; cook, flipping once, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken registers 165°F, 10 to 12 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; add the balsamic mixture and continue cooking, turning and basting the chicken with the sauce, until the sauce is bubbling and thickened, about 2 minutes more.

    Cooking chicken thighs in a yellowhandled pan with balsamic sauce being poured in

    Food: Sammy Mila, Photos: Jason Donnelly, Props: Breanna Ghazali.

  3. Combine 2 cups arugula, the chopped tomato, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, ⅛ teaspoon pepper and the remaining 2 teaspoons oil and ⅛ teaspoon salt in a medium bowl; toss to combine. Serve the salad with the chicken. Drizzle any remaining sauce over the chicken.

    A bowl of arugula and diced tomatoes

    Food: Sammy Mila, Photos: Jason Donnelly, Props: Breanna Ghazali.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I scale this recipe to make four servings?

    Yes, you can easily double this recipe to make four servings instead of two. We recommend using a large nonstick skillet for the chicken and adjusting the cooking time as necessary. Also, use a large bowl to toss the salad in so there's enough room.

EatingWell.com, September 2025

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

377 Calories
20g Fat
15g Carbs
36g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 2
Serving Size 1 chicken thigh, 1 cup salad & ¾ Tbsp. sauce
Calories 377
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 15g 6%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 13g
Added Sugars 9g 18%
Protein 36g 71%
Total Fat 20g 26%
Saturated Fat 5g 23%
Cholesterol 173mg 58%
Vitamin A 61µg
Vitamin C 12mg 14%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 2mg 15%
Folate 35µg
Vitamin K 32µg
Sodium 422mg 18%
Calcium 61mg 5%
Iron 2mg 12%
Magnesium 53mg 13%
Potassium 633mg 13%
Zinc 3mg 27%
Vitamin B12 1µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.