Cherry Sauce for Chicken

A perfect dinner is always incomplete without chicken. And the chicken even needs a good companion. And I think the cherry sauce for chicken is the best option here. Just imagine having a chicken breast with fruit glaze. Isn’t that strange? But it’s very tasty. You won’t believe me until you try out a fruit-based sauce like cherry sauce.

Now, what if I tell you that the cherry sauce is going to be super healthy? Yes, it will be true if you make it at home following my recipe guide. Let’s go!

What Is Cherry Sauce for Chicken?

Cherry sauce is one of the best fruit-based chicken sauces that has both sweet and tart flavors. But it also! As a savory depth that complements most chicken items. You will see that the traditional cherry sauces are full of heavy sugars and preservatives. Meanwhile, this cherry pan sauce is healthy and has no harmful ingredients. 

Although the store-bought versions are flavorful, the homemade versions are no less flavorful. In fact, they are better. How? You can use honey instead of sugar, avoid preservatives, and so on.

Ingredients You Need

While making your roasted chicken cherry sauce, keep these ingredients with you.

Fresh or Frozen Cherries (2 Cups)

Cherries are going to be the hero ingredient in this recipe. They will bring the bold flavor and natural sweetness from your sauce. But make sure they are fresh or frozen, and 2 cups. 

Balsamic Vinegar (2 tbsp)

2 tablespoons of vinegar are going to add acidity and depth to the sauce. Besides, the sweetness of the cherries will stay balanced here. 

Honey or Maple Syrup (1 to 2 tbsp)

Honey or maple syrup is going to act as a natural sweetener. They will not only enhance the cherries’ flavor but also give the sauce a glossy finish. So use 1 to 2 tablespoons of it.

Shallots or Onion (2 tbsp, finely chopped)

Use 2 tablespoons of shallots or onions for a savory note and to balance the sweetness. 2 tablespoons is enough for this, and make sure they are finely chopped.

Garlic (1 clove, minced)

1 clove of minced garlic is enough to give an earthy note to the sauce. It can also help to make the flavor more complex.

Fresh Thyme or Rosemary (1 tsp)

Fresh thyme or rosemary is going to infuse a light aroma into your sauce. Just use 1 teaspoon of them.

Red Wine (¼ cup)

This is optional. You can enhance the flavor and deepen the color of your sauce with ¼ cup of red wine. 

Salt (A Pinch)

Just a pinch of salt can enhance the overall flavor of your sauce.

Black Pepper (¼ tsp)

¼ teaspoon of black pepper is going to add a gentle kick that will complement the cherry flavor. 

Cornstarch Slurry (1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water) 

Use cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce. Mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water, and you are done.

How to Make Cherry Sauce for Chicken? A Step-by-Step Guide

Now we are all set to start with the savory cherry sauce recipe.

Step 1: Start With the Base

First, take a non-stick saucepan. Heat it over a medium-low heat. Add one tablespoon of oil there. Sauté the chopped shallots and onions in the pan. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until the ingredients turn translucent. 

Step 2: Add Garlic and Cherries

Now add the minced garlic and cherries to the pan. Stir them for a few minutes until the cherries soften.

Step 3: Pour Liquids

Next, pour all the liquids into the pan. Like balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup, and wine or grape juice. Stir everything well until the flavors blend.

Step 4: Season and Simmer 

Now, it’s time to add some seasonings. Add black pepper, salt, thyme, or rosemary into the sauce, and let the sauce simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. This will break the cherries and release juice from them.

Step 5: Mash and Thicken

Once the cherries become soft, use the back of a spoon to mash them. Then add the cornstarch slurry into the sauce and stir it continuously until the sauce thickens. 

Step 6: Taste and Adjust

Taste the sauce to see if any adjustments are needed. If it needs more sweetness, add some more honey or maple syrup. And if it needs more tartness, add a splash of vinegar.

Step 7: Cool and Store

Now let the sauce cool down at room temperature. And you store it in the refrigerator in a clean glass jar. 

Best Pairings for Cherry Sauce for Chicken

Have this sweet and tangy chicken glaze when you have the following dishes with you.

• Mashed potatoes
• Brown rice
• Quinoa
• Polenta
• Couscous
• Turkey
• Pork chops
• Garlic bread
• Steamed broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Grilled zucchini 

Conclusion 

See how easy it was to make the cherry sauce for chicken. You just need to give it 30 minutes, and you will have a sweet and tangy chicken glaze with all your favorite meals. Here, the bonus point is that you can control the sweetness, tanginess, spiciness, and almost everything in the sauce. 

Also, you are skipping additives and preservatives, which is a gift to your health. At the same time, this sauce will be the heart of your house party and impress your guests. Maybe you will need to make it in a large quantity every time. So, better make it at once and store it in the freezer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Type of Cherries Work Best for Sauce?

You can use both sweet cherries and tart cherries for the sauce. But it solely depends on you which flavor you like.

How to Balance Sweetness and Acidity in Cherry Sauce?

To balance sweetness and acidity in cherry sauce, you can use a combination of lemon juice and balsamic vinegar. Then you can adjust the sweetness with honey, sugar, or cherry jam.

Can Cherry Sauce Be Used With Grilled or Baked Chicken?

Yes, the cherry sauce can be used with both grilled and baked chicken. Thanks to the tangy and sweet flavor it has.