Blackberry Chicken
This Blackberry Jalapeño Chicken is a quick 30-minute skillet recipe with juicy chicken in a sweet, tangy blackberry glaze and a hint of jalapeño heat—perfect for an easy yet elevated weeknight dinner.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breasts boneless and skinless, pounded evenly
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ cups fresh blackberries divided
- Fresh basil or thyme for garnish
Glaze
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 jalapeño thinly sliced (seeds removed for mild heat)
- ½ cup blackberry preserves
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons apple juice or orange juice
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Season and sear the chicken: Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken until golden brown, about 3–4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Prepare the glaze: In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon oil, garlic and jalapeño; sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in blackberry preserves, water, apple juice, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Incorporate blackberries: Add half of the fresh blackberries, lightly mashing some to release their juices. Simmer briefly to combine flavors.
- Finish the chicken: Return chicken to the skillet, spooning glaze over the top. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Finalize the sauce: Stir in remaining blackberries. Simmer for 1–2 minutes until the sauce is glossy and slightly thickened.
- Serve: Transfer chicken to a serving dish, spoon glaze over the top, and garnish with fresh basil or thyme. Optional: Finish with a small squeeze of fresh lime juice before serving for extra brightness.
Notes
- Control the heat: Remove jalapeño seeds for mild heat, or keep them for a spicier dish.
- Don’t skip the sear: Browning the chicken first adds depth and keeps it juicy.
- Use fresh berries wisely: Add some at the end for a fresh burst of flavor and better texture.
- Sauce too thin? Let it simmer a bit longer or mash more berries to thicken naturally.
- Make it ahead: The sauce can be made in advance and reheated when ready to cook.
- Serving ideas: Pairs well with rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables.
Nutrition
Calories: 409kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 1163mg | Potassium: 793mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 480IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 2mg