recipes

Smoky Cherry Balsamic Glazed Chicken

Tart cherries are one of the highest-antioxidant foods available. This savory-sweet glaze makes dinners feel special with zero extra effort midweek.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Storage: Refrigerates 4 days

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Ingredients

For the chicken:

• 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ¾ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

For the cherry balsamic glaze:

• ½ cup frozen or fresh tart cherries, pitted
• 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp raw honey
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp cinnamon

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Shopping List

🥩 Meat & Poultry

• 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast

🥬 Produce

• 2 garlic cloves

🍒 Frozen/Fresh Fruit

• ½ cup tart cherries, pitted (frozen or fresh)

🧂 Pantry & Condiments

• Olive oil (need 1 tbsp)
• Balsamic vinegar (need 3 tbsp)
• Raw honey (need 1 tbsp)
• Smoked paprika (need 1 tsp)
• Ground cinnamon (need ½ tsp)
• Salt (need ¾ tsp)
• Black pepper (need ¼ tsp)

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Instructions

1. Make the cherry balsamic glaze. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine cherries, balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic, smoked paprika, and cinnamon. Simmer 8–10 minutes, stirring and smashing the cherries, until thickened to a glaze. Set aside to cool slightly.

2. Season and sear. Pat chicken dry. Season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.

3. Sear the chicken. Sear 3 minutes per side until golden brown. Work in batches if needed — don’t crowd the pan.

4. Glaze and finish in oven. Brush glaze generously over the seared chicken. Transfer skillet to a 400°F oven and roast 12–15 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.

5. Rest and store. Rest 5 minutes, then slice against the grain. Store with extra glaze spooned over top to keep moist.

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Serving Ideas

• Sliced over farro or wild rice with wilted spinach
• Alongside roasted Brussels sprouts or broccolini
• Over arugula with walnuts, goat cheese, and a balsamic drizzle
• With mashed cauliflower and roasted garlic

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Why It’s Anti-Inflammatory

Ingredient	Benefit
Tart (Montmorency) cherries	Anthocyanins target the same pathways as NSAIDs; well-studied for joint and muscle inflammation
Balsamic vinegar	Polyphenols support gut health and reduce oxidative stress
Smoked paprika	Rich in carotenoids including capsanthin
Cinnamon	Cinnamaldehyde inhibits inflammatory cytokines
Garlic	Allicin and sulfur compounds reduce inflammatory markers