Blackberry Chicken
Blackberry Chicken is a savory and sweet dish that combines the tartness of blackberries with the richness of chicken. This unique dish is sure to get your belly excited and provide a delicious meal for any occasion.
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Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner or something special for a holiday gathering, blackberry chicken is sure to be a hit! With its combination of flavors, this dish is sure to please even the pickiest eaters.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Unique Flavor Combination: The fusion of sweet, tangy blackberries and savory chicken creates an irresistible taste sensation. The rich blackberry sauce pairs beautifully with the tender, juicy chicken, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that is both satisfying and exciting.
- Nutritional Benefits: Blackberry chicken not only tastes great but also offers a variety of health benefits. Blackberries are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, while the chicken is a lean source of protein that helps build and maintain muscle mass. Together, they create a nutritious and well-balanced meal.
- Easy to Prepare: Blackberry chicken is a simple yet impressive dish that doesn’t require any complicated cooking techniques. With just a few ingredients, such as chicken, blackberries, and basic seasonings, you can whip up this delicious meal in no time. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a novice home cook, you’ll appreciate the ease of preparing this mouthwatering dish.
Ingredients
- boneless skinless chicken breasts
- blackberries
- brown sugar
- white wine vinegar
- olive oil
- chopped fresh thyme
- paprika
- minced garlic
- ground cumin
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Variations / Options / Add-Ins
- Blackberry Balsamic Glazed Chicken: Add a tangy twist to your blackberry chicken by incorporating balsamic vinegar into the sauce. To create the glaze, combine blackberries, balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic, and a touch of Dijon mustard. Cook until thickened, and then pour over grilled or baked chicken. This variation adds depth and complexity to the dish, making it perfect for dinner parties or special occasions.
- Blackberry Chicken Salad: Transform your blackberry chicken into a light and refreshing salad that’s perfect for warm weather or a quick lunch. Start by cooking your chicken with a simple blackberry sauce (blackberries, lemon juice, honey, and olive oil). Once cooked, shred or slice the chicken and toss it with mixed greens, fresh blackberries, goat cheese, and toasted walnuts. Drizzle with a blackberry vinaigrette made from blackberry preserves, red wine vinegar, olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Blackberry Chicken Tacos: Give your blackberry chicken a Mexican-inspired makeover by serving it in taco form. Cook your chicken with a smoky blackberry sauce made from blackberries, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, garlic, and lime juice. Once cooked, shred the chicken and serve it on warm corn tortillas. Top with a blackberry salsa made from fresh blackberries, diced red onion, jalapeno, cilantro, and lime juice. Finish with a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of crumbled cotija cheese for a delicious fusion of flavors.
How to Make Blackberry Chicken
Here is a quick overview of the directions for this recipe. You can find the full recipe and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Step 1: Make the Blackberry sauce
In a mixing bowl, mash the 4 blackberries until completely muddled. To the blackberries, add the brown sugar, vinegar, olive oil, thyme, ¼ teaspoon paprika, garlic, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well blended. Pour the chicken into the baking dish.
Step 2: Add more seasonings – optional
Sprinkle the remaining paprika over the chicken. Add additional salt and black pepper over the chicken, if desired.
Step 3: Baste the chicken while it bakes
Basting often, bake the chicken for 40 to 50 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 170 degrees at the thickest part of the largest chicken breast.
Serving Suggestions
- Cast Iron Skillet Mac and Cheese
- Crack Green Beans Recipe
- Apple Pie Bombs
Pro Tips
- Start by marinating the chicken in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. This will help to tenderize the meat and give it a great flavor.
- For the best flavor, use fresh blackberries when possible. If you’re using frozen berries, make sure to thaw them before adding them to your recipe.
- When making a sauce for your blackberry chicken, try adding balsamic vinegar or honey for a sweet and tangy flavor.
- Serve your blackberry chicken with sides such as mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Storage
Storage – Store leftover chicken in an airtight container or storage bag in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Reheating- Reheat the chicken in the air fryer at 300 degrees for 3-5 minutes or in a skillet on the stovetop over medium heat with a small amount of chicken broth to prevent the chicken fry from drying out.
Freezing – Freeze the cooked chicken in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
FAQs
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this recipe.
Transfer the cooled blackberry chicken and sauce into airtight containers or resealable plastic bags. Using airtight containers helps maintain the quality of the dish and prevents any odors from affecting other items in your refrigerator or freezer.
Store the blackberry chicken in the refrigerator if you plan to consume it within 3-4 days. For longer storage, place the containers in the freezer. Properly stored, frozen blackberry chicken can last up to 3 months.
Creamy Garlic Dip, Cilantro Lime Yogurt Sauce, Spicy Honey Mustard, BBQ Sauce, Ranch or Blue Cheese Dip.
More Chicken Recipes
If you like chicken, give these recipes a try:
Want to make this delicious recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin it so that you can come back to it later.
Blackberry Chicken
Equipment
- 9×13 baking dish
- Large bowl
- baster or spoon
Ingredients
- 4 to 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 4 blackberries Yes, you only need 4 berries. plus more for serving if desired
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
- ½ teaspoon paprika divided
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Prepare a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Place the chicken into the prepared baking dish.
- In a mixing bowl, mash the 4 blackberries until completely muddled. To the blackberries, add the brown sugar, vinegar, olive oil, thyme, ¼ teaspoon paprika, garlic, cumin, salt and black pepper. Mix until well blended. Pour over the chicken.
- Sprinkle the remaining paprika over the chicken. Add additional salt and black pepper over the chicken, if desired.
- Basting often, bake the chicken for 40 to 50 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 170 degrees at the thickest part of the largest chicken breast.
- Serve the chicken with additional blackberries, if desired.
Notes
- For the best flavor, use fresh blackberries when possible. If you’re using frozen berries, make sure to thaw them before adding them to your recipe.
- When making a sauce for your blackberry chicken, try adding balsamic vinegar or honey for a sweet and tangy flavor.
- Serve your blackberry chicken with sides such as mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Disclaimer:
Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.
