My Apricot Chicken is one of the most popular recipes on the blog. So I decided to try something new with this Cherry Jalapeño Chicken. I must say it is my favorite now! The jalapeño is mild but feel free to kick it up by adding more. There is just something so special about a bite full of spicy and sweet. This chicken with its crispy tangy skin will be your family’s favorite too!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Just whip up the five minute sauce for this Cherry Jalapeño Chicken, slather it on and bake. You will have the most amazing chicken that the whole family will be licking their fingers and begging for more!
Ingredients You Will Need
Chicken Thighs: I love using chicken thighs because they always come out juicy and tender, from the extra fat that comes from the thighs.
Black Cherry Jam: Or cherry jam is a sweet fruit spread made from cooked, mashed cherries, and sugar. It sometimes has pectin or citrus to help it gel. I use sugar-free fruit spread to keep this dish Paleo and Whole30 friendly. St. Dalfour makes a delicious fruit spread, especially for this Cherry Jalapeño Chicken.
Jalapeño: Jalapeño peppers are a type of chili pepper. They are the most popular hot pepper in the United States and are a key ingredient in Mexican cooking. They can range from mild to very hot. I like them because you can control the level of heat to your desired taste by using less or more of them.
Garlic Powder: Using garlic powder over minced garlic is best in this recipe. It easily dissipates into the sauce for a better overall texture.
Onion Powder: Adds a sweet and savory flavor to certain dishes that you can’t get from fresh onions.
Salt and Pepper: Salt enhances and balances flavors, while ground black pepper adds a gentle heat. This combination improves the overall Cherry Jalapeño Chicken flavor.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar, a type of vinegar made from fermented apple juice. It adds a tangy flavor to the sauce with a refreshing kick.
Ketchup: I prefer unsweetened ketchup that allows the true sweetness from the tomatoes to shine through. Noble Made is my go to for delicious tasting ketchup.
Coconut Aminos: A gluten-free and soy-free alternative to traditional soy sauce. Coconut aminos bring a rich umami flavor and a subtle saltiness and sweetness to a dish.
Instructions
Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°
Prepare the pan: Line a rimmed pan with parchment paper.
Make the sauce: In a small bowl, combine all ingredients except chicken, and mix well. You can also combine in a blender to chop up jalapeños even more. Divide the sauce, saving some for dipping the Cherry Jalapeño Chicken.
Pat the chicken dry: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Place chicken pieces, skin side up, on the pan.
Dress the chicken: Spoon the sauce onto the chicken pieces.
Bake the chicken: Roast or bake for 60 minutes until skin looks crispy and chicken reaches 165˚
Enjoy!
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Kick up the heat: If you like it hot, add more jalapeño peppers!
Parchment or foil: Be sure to line your baking sheet for ease of clean up.
Make extra: There is plenty of sauce if you want to add in a few extra pieces of Cherry Jalapeño Chicken to the pan.
Recipe Variations
Strawberry jam: Strawberry jam or spread is a great alternative to the cherry spread.
Boneless thighs: While the skin is truly the star of the show you can use boneless thighs too. You just won’t get the crispy, sticky skin but the chicken is still delicious. Also, adjust cooking time accordingly as the boneless thighs won’t take as long as the Cherry Jalapeño Chicken.
Storage Tips
These Cherry Jalapeño Chicken Thighs can be stored in the fridge for 4-5 days when placed in a sealed airtight glass container. They are freezer-safe for up to 6 months.
FAQs About Cherry Jalapeño Chicken Thighs
Do cherries and jalapeños go together?
The sweet tart flavor of the cherries highlights the Jalapeño peppers perfectly and helps counterbalance the spice.
Why are my chicken thighs not crispy?
In order to get these Cherry Jalapeño Chicken thighs crispy, you'll need to make sure the skin is nice and dry before baking.
Do Jalapeños get spicier when roasted?
Actually they do not! Roasting hot peppers makes them lose some of their heat and in the process they become less spicy.
Cherry Jalapeño Chicken
Ingredients
- 6 - 8 pieces Chicken Thigh skin on
- 11 ½ oz Black Cherry Jam unsweetened
- 1 Jalapeño see note
- 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 2 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 2 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- ¼ cup Ketchup unsweetened, I like Noble Made
- 2 tablespoon Coconut Aminos
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Line a rimmed pan with parchment paper
- In a small bowl, combine all ingredients except chicken, mix well (or you can combine in blender to chop up jalapeños even more)
- Place chicken on pan
- Divide sauce to save some for dipping
- Spoon sauce onto chicken pieces
- Roast 60 minutes until skin looks crispy and chicken reaches 165˚
- Enjoy!
Danielle says
I’m struggling to find sugar free cherry jam. What brand did you use?
Penny says
Hi Danielle! My favorite brands are St. Dalfour, Chia Smash or Jean Francois. All 3 are available on Amazon though I find them much cheaper at smaller markets like Healthy Living, Whole Foods and believe it or not, TJ Maxx! I hope you love this recipe once you find some.
xoxo, Penny