Busy moms, meet Strawberry Chicken; a quick, flavorful weeknight dinner that feels special but takes almost no time. You can get this on the table in about 20 minutes and still have time to help with homework or catch a breath between errands.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Strawberry Chicken Recipe
This dish works for families because it keeps things simple and tasty. The glaze comes together from pantry items and a little fresh basil, so prep stays minimal.
Kids often like the sweet-savory combo, and adults appreciate the fresh herbs and tang from balsamic. You get a dinner that looks and tastes like you spent more time on it than you did.
If you like quick fruity glazes, try this twist on chicken, similar to a 3-ingredient orange chicken, but with bright strawberry flavor and fresh basil.
How to Make Strawberry Chicken
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, ½ teaspoon sea salt, ¼ cup strawberry jam, 1 tablespoon good quality balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon water (extra if mixture is too thick), ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, (cut into ribbons or finely chopped), 2 tablespoons crumbled goat cheese (optional), ¼ cup fresh strawberries (sliced (optional))
Directions
How to Serve
Serve this with simple sides that the whole family will eat. White rice or buttered noodles soak up the glaze and make plate-cleaning easy.
Add a green vegetable like steamed broccoli or a simple salad for color and crunch.
Want a playful dinner idea? Serve your chicken sliced over rice and veggies, or try it as part of a quick bang bang chicken bowl style meal for build-your-own bowls kids love.
How to Store
Cool any leftovers to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the sauce and chicken together so the meat stays moist.
To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat until just heated through, or microwave in 30 second bursts, stirring between each burst. Add a splash of water if the sauce thickened too much.
Tips and Variations
- Use thinner chicken breasts or pound them slightly so they cook evenly in the pan.
- Swap goat cheese for feta if you prefer a sharper flavor.
- If the sauce gets too thick, stir in a little extra water, one teaspoon at a time, until it reaches the consistency you like.
- For a dairy-free version, skip the goat cheese and use extra basil and fresh strawberry slices for brightness.
- Want more hands-off cooking? Sear the chicken in a skillet then finish the sauce in the oven at 375 F for 8-10 minutes if your pan is oven-safe.
FAQs
Q: Can I use frozen chicken breasts?
A: Yes, but thaw them completely first so they cook evenly. Pat dry before seasoning.
Q: Will this work with chicken thighs?
A: Absolutely. Boneless thighs cook a little faster and stay juicy. Adjust time as needed.
Q: Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
A: Yes, whisk jam, balsamic and water and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. Warm before pouring over the cooked chicken.
Q: My kids do not like basil. Any swap?
A: Try chopped parsley or skip the herbs and add extra sliced strawberries for color.
Conclusion
This Strawberry Chicken gives you a fast, family-friendly dinner that tastes like you planned a special meal. It uses a few pantry staples and finishes with fresh basil and optional goat cheese for a bright touch. Try it tonight, then save this recipe for busy evenings when you want something quick and delicious.
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Strawberry Chicken
A quick, flavorful weeknight dinner featuring chicken glazed with strawberry jam and fresh basil, ready in about 20 minutes.
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ cup strawberry jam
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon water (extra if needed)
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves (cut into ribbons or finely chopped)
- 2 tablespoons crumbled goat cheese (optional)
- ¼ cup fresh strawberries (sliced, optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season chicken breasts with a sprinkle of salt on both sides and place in pan. Cook for about 4-5 minutes on one side until golden crust forms.
- Flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes until fully cooked through.
- Meanwhile, whisk together strawberry jam, balsamic vinegar, and water in a small bowl.
- When chicken is just about finished cooking, pour the mixture over the chicken, scraping up brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Reduce heat and bring sauce to a simmer, letting it bubble for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
- Stir in most of the basil and simmer for 1 more minute, saving some for garnish.
- Remove chicken from the pan and pour sauce over each piece. Sprinkle with goat cheese if desired and garnish with remaining basil and sliced strawberries.
Notes
Use thinner chicken breasts for quicker cooking. This dish works well with sides like rice or buttered noodles. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
