Introduction: Pomegranate Chicken with Maple Glaze
Pomegranate Chicken with Maple Glaze combines the sweet flavors of maple with the tangy and tart flavor of pomegranate! This delicious recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. It fuses bold flavors, ensuring each piece of chicken is juicy and flavorful.
How to Select the Best Pomegranates
Selecting high-quality produce can completely transform this recipe. I recommend getting whole pomegranates from the grocery store. While this does require a bit more prep work, using whole pomegranates can completely elevate this dish.
How To Tell If a Pomegranate Is Ripe
When shopping, look for pomegranates that are heavy for their size with a deep, vibrant red color. Look for pomegranates that feel firm, indicating that the arils are juicy!
Ingredients of Pomegranate Chicken with Maple Glaze
This dish combines savory and tart flavors to create an elevated main course meal that is perfect for dinners! To make this pomegranate chicken, the following ingredients are necessary:
- Pomegranate Juice: Look for 100% pure pomegranate juice with no added sweeteners or sugars.
- Maple Syrup: Use high-quality pure maple syrup to create the glaze. We don’t recommend using syrup with flavor additives such as vanilla.
- Chicken Breasts: opt for organic, free-range chicken breasts for the best quality.
Tools to Make Pomegranate Maple Glaze Chicken
The right tools can make cooking a fun and enjoyable experience. This dish is designed to be made at home using standard cookware found on our Kitchen Essentials List. Specifically, the following items are necessary:
- Skillet: A high-quality skillet is used to pan-sear the chicken before baking in the oven.
- Saucepan: This recipe includes a homemade Pomegranate Maple Glaze. Reduce the glaze in a saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Pastry Brush or Basting Brush: A pastry brush/basting brush helps evenly coat the chicken with the glaze.
- Baking Dish: After pan-searing the chicken, finish cooking in the oven.
Recipe Overview: How to Make Pomegranate Chicken with Maple Glaze
As with all of the recipes in our recipe index, this dish is designed so that anyone can make it! Making Pomegranate Maple Glazed Chicken involves a few simple steps:
Step 1: Prepare the Glaze
Combine pomegranate juice, syrup, and spices in a saucepan. Reduce until it creates a thick maple glaze. This glaze can be used for both plating and flavoring the chicken – just be sure to not cross-contaminate!
Step 2: Season and Sear the Chicken
Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and spices. To add texture, pan-sear the chicken until each side is crispy and golden-brown.
Step 3: Bake the Chicken
After pan-searing, transfer the chicken to a baking dish to continue cooking in the oven. This method gives your chicken a nice appearance while also ensuring that it cooks all the way through.
Step 4: Glaze and Serve
Brush the reduced glaze over the cooked chicken as it is resting. Quickly broil for just a minute to caramelize the glaze.
What to Serve with Pomegranate Chicken with Maple Glaze
Sweet Potato Puree:
This dish pairs very well with Sweet Potato Puree! The puree’s natural sweetness will complement the chicken’s tangy glaze. Additionally, the color of the puree will accent well when plating with the chicken.
Parsnip Puree:
If you’re looking for something with a more earthy flavor, this dish pairs well with a light Parsnip Puree.
Lemon Butter Asparagus:
Pairing Pomegranate Chicken with Lemon Butter Asparagus will provide a light and refreshing side dish that cuts through the richness of the chicken.
Pomegranate Cheesecake
Once you’ve had your delicious dinner, serve Pomegranate Cheesecake as the dessert!
Summary
This dish combines sweet and tart flavors to create a delightful meal. It is ideal for fancy dinners where you’re looking to impress or casual family meals on weeknights when you don’t want to spend hours cooking.
Pomegranate Maple Glazed Chicken
Equipment
- 1 Baking Dish
- 1 Saucepan
- 1 Pastry Brush silicone
- 1 Skillet
Ingredients
- 4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 1 cup pomegranate juice
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Pomegranate arils and fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375℉ / 190℃
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup pomegranate juice, ½ cup maple syrup,2 cloves Garlic (minced), and 1 tsp dried rosemary. Season with Salt and Pepper. Simmer until it reduces by half and becomes syrupy, about 10-15 minutes.1 cup pomegranate juice, ½ cup maple syrup, 2 cloves Garlic, 1 tsp dried rosemary, Salt, Pepper
- Season both sides of 4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts with Salt, Pepper, and the remaining 2 cloves Garlic.4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, 2 cloves Garlic, Salt, Pepper
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp Olive Oil over medium heat. Place each chicken breast in the pan and sear each side until golden brown – 2-4 minutes.1 tbsp Olive Oil
- Transfer the chicken breasts to a baking dish and bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
- Bake the chicken in the oven for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reacher 165℉.
- Remove the chicken from the oven. Brush the chicken with the pomegranate-maple glaze and place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes until the glaze is caramelized.
- Garnish with Pomegranate arils and fresh parsley for garnish before serving. Serve with additional glaze if desired.Pomegranate arils and fresh parsley for garnish
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