The Perfect Cherry Balsamic Glazed Chicken Recipe
This Perfect Cherry Balsamic Glazed Chicken recipe offers a delightful blend of sweet and tangy flavors with a glossy cherry and balsamic glaze that beautifully complements tender, juicy grilled chicken breasts. The dish features a simple pan-seared cooking method enhanced by a homemade glaze reduction that adds sophistication and depth, making it perfect for both weeknight dinners and elegant occasions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Cherry Balsamic Glaze
- 1 cup fresh or thawed frozen cherries, pitted and halved
- 1/4 cup good-quality balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced fine
Garnish
- Fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Generously season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and dried thyme to build a flavorful foundation.
- Prepare the Cherry Balsamic Glaze: In a medium saucepan, combine the halved cherries, balsamic vinegar, honey, and minced garlic. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cherries soften and release their juices and the mixture reduces to a glossy glaze coating the back of a spoon, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Heat the Cooking Pan: While the glaze reduces, preheat a grill pan or heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Allow it to get properly hot to achieve a golden crust on the chicken.
- Cook the Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken breasts onto the hot pan. Cook undisturbed for 6-7 minutes on the first side until golden and well-seared. Flip and cook another 6-7 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Glaze the Chicken: In the final 2-3 minutes of cooking, generously brush the cherry balsamic glaze onto the chicken, allowing it to caramelize and become slightly sticky to enhance flavor and presentation.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from heat and let it rest for 3 minutes. Serve immediately with additional glaze spooned over the chicken and garnished with freshly chopped parsley.
Notes
- Allow the glaze to properly reduce until it coats the back of a spoon but still flows freely for the best texture and flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer to check doneness instead of relying solely on cooking times, as chicken breasts vary in thickness.
- If the glaze becomes too thick, whisk in a tablespoon of hot water to loosen it.
- Apply the glaze late in the cooking process to avoid burning and to achieve a perfect caramelized finish.
- Store leftover chicken and glaze separately in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat chicken gently in a covered pan with a splash of water, then warm the glaze separately and spoon over before serving.
- Avoid microwaving glazed chicken to prevent a rubbery coating texture.
Keywords: chicken breast recipe, balsamic glaze chicken, cherry glaze chicken, healthy chicken dinner, easy chicken recipe, stovetop chicken, pan-seared chicken, balsamic vinegar recipes, cherry recipes
