This one pan cherry chicken is the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and just a little spicy. Juicy pan-seared chicken is simmered in a flavorful sauce made with fresh cherries, jalapeños and balsamic, creating a restaurant-worthy meal that's surprisingly easy to make at home.
The cherries soften into a rich, glossy sauce while the balsamic vinegar adds depth and the jalapeños provide a gentle kick. Just like my Kung Pao chicken stir fry, this dish is great for special occasions yet simple enough to whip up as a weeknight dinner.
If you've never cooked chicken with fresh cherries before, you're in for a treat. As the cherries cook down, they become wonderfully jammy and create a naturally sweet sauce that pairs beautifully with savory chicken.
I love making this recipe during cherry season, but it's elegant enough to serve for dinner parties or special occasions. Like my French onion soup chicken, this is one of those dishes that look impressive, yet doesn't need a lot of effort to put together.
Quick Look: Cherry Chicken
- 🔪 Prep time: 15 mins.
- ⏲️ Cook time: 20 mins.
- 👪 Servings: 4.
- 📋 Main ingredients: Chicken, fresh cherries, jalapeños, garlic, balsamic vinegar.
- ♨️ Cooking method: Marinate → pan-sear → simmer → finish.
- ⭐ Difficulty: Easy.
- 🥣 Serving ideas: Serve with rice, Aligot potatoes, roasted vegetables, or crusty bread.
Jump to:
What's So Great About the Recipe?
- It's an easy one-pan recipe- just like cheesy Korean Buldak chicken. Everything finishes in the same skillet for easy cleanup.
- It is great for entertaining or to serve as elegant dinner on a weeknight.
- It's a delicious seasonal favorite- an excellent way to enjoy fresh cherries when they're in season. Don't forget to use the leftovers to make pickled cherries.
Recipe Ingredients
Chicken: Boneless chicken breasts or thighs both work well for this recipe.
Fresh cherries: The star ingredient, adding sweetness and creating a rich, fruity sauce as they cook.
Jalapeños: Add a gentle heat that balances the sweetness of the cherries.
Salt, pepper, and oil: To marinate the chicken. Use jalapeno infused salt for extra deliciousness.
Garlic: For that savory depth and aroma. Use air fried roasted garlic if you want a bit of smokiness.
Balsamic vinegar: For that beautiful color and a subtle tang that complements the cherries perfectly.
Honey: To enhance the natural sweetness and balance the acidity. Sometimes, I like to use my jalapeno infused honey.
Fresh thyme: For that earthy, aromatic finish.
Lemon juice: To brighten up the dish.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for extra juicy meat.
- Replace the jalapeños with jalapeno flakes for a subtle flavor, or use red pepper flakes for a different kind of heat.
- Add sliced shallots or red onions to the sauce for a savory depth.
- Stir in a small knob of butter at the end for an even silkier sauce. You can use jalapeno infused butter if you want to.
How to Make Cherry Chicken
Step 1: Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and a little oil.
Step 2: In a bowl or jar, combine the halved cherries, chopped jalapeños, chopped garlic, and balsamic vinegar.
Step 3: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken until almost fully cooked. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Step 4: Add the cherry mixture to the same skillet and cook for several minutes.
Step 5: Cook until the cherries soften and begin forming a sauce.
Step 6: Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon the sauce over the top. Drizzle with honey, sprinkle over the fresh thyme, and cook for another minute or two until the chicken is fully cooked.
Step 7: Remove from the heat and finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving.
💭Top Tip
Don't overcook the cherries. You want them to soften and release their juices while still retaining some texture for the best-looking and best-tasting sauce.
Tips & Tricks to Nail the Recipe
- Use ripe, sweet cherries for the best flavor.
- Use a good quality cast iron skillet or a heavy bottomed pan for the recipe. Cook the chicken on medium heat to ensure it doesn't get overcooked, but still has that bit of char on the outside. I always do this when I make scallion oil chicken too.
- Cook the cherry sauce in the same skillet to pick up all the browned bits from the chicken.
- You can also add a splash of chicken broth or low sodium vegetable broth to the mix to make it saucy.
- Pour in the honey and lemon juice towards the end for maximum flavor.
How to Serve Cherry Chicken
Cherry chicken pairs beautifully with fluffy rice, mashed potatoes or Brabant potatoes, buttered noodles, or creamy polenta. It's also delicious alongside roasted Parmesan asparagus, green beans, broccoli, or a crisp green salad.
You can also serve cherry chicken with warm crusty bread to soak up every bit of the sweet and savory cherry sauce. You can also just make some simple roasted broccoli and potatoes as a side to go with it.
Troubleshooting and FAQs
Store leftover cherry chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through.
Yes. Thaw and drain them first before adding them to the skillet.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
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If you tried this cherry chicken or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Cherry Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups cherries halved and pitted
- 1 jalapeños finely chopped
- 3 garlic finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- ½ lemon juiced
Instructions
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and olive oil.
- Combine the cherries, jalapeños, garlic, and balsamic vinegar in a bowl.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken until almost cooked through.
- Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Add the cherry mixture to the same skillet and cook until the cherries soften and release their juices.
- Return the chicken to the skillet.
- Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with fresh thyme.
- Cook until the chicken is fully cooked.
- Remove from the heat and finish with fresh lemon juice.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Fresh cherries provide the best flavor, but frozen cherries can also be used.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeño depending on your preferred spice level.
- Finish with lemon juice just before serving for the brightest flavor.
- Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to enjoy the delicious cherry sauce.
