Description
Cherry Balsamic Glazed Chicken is a delicious, elegant dish featuring tender boneless chicken breasts glazed with a luscious, tangy-sweet cherry balsamic sauce. Perfectly seared on the stovetop then finished in the oven, this recipe balances savory, fruity, and slightly sweet flavors for a satisfying meal that’s quick enough for weeknights but impressive enough for guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cherry Balsamic Glaze
- 1 cup fresh or frozen pitted cherries
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Garnish
- Fresh thyme sprigs for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken later.
- Season Chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper on both sides to enhance flavor.
- Sear Chicken: In a large oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and sear for about 4 minutes on each side until golden brown, sealing in juices and creating a flavorful crust.
- Remove Chicken: Take the chicken out of the skillet and set aside temporarily to prepare the glaze.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Prepare Cherry Glaze: Add cherries, balsamic vinegar, and honey to the skillet. Stir the mixture and cook for roughly 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly, concentrating the flavors.
- Return Chicken & Glaze: Place the seared chicken back into the skillet, spooning the cherry balsamic glaze over each breast to coat well.
- Bake Chicken: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) ensuring it is fully cooked and juicy.
- Rest Chicken: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes to allow juices to redistribute for ultimate tenderness.
- Garnish & Serve: Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs if desired and serve the glazed chicken warm, spooning extra sauce over the top.
Notes
- Using fresh cherries will give a brighter flavor, but frozen cherries work well when fresh are unavailable.
- Make sure the skillet is oven-safe before transferring to bake.
- For a thicker glaze, simmer the cherry balsamic mixture a bit longer on the stovetop before adding the chicken back.
- Check chicken temperature with a meat thermometer for safe, perfectly cooked meat.
- Leftover chicken is great for salads or sandwiches the next day.
