Raspberry Chipotle Chicken Recipe

This sticky tender Raspberry Chipotle Chicken Recipe is made with chicken breasts, raspberry preserves, and chipotle peppers, and ready in 25 minutes. The bubbling glaze perfectly coats the pan-seared meat as it reduces into a thick sauce. I love how quickly this sweet and spicy dinner comes together.

Why This Classic Works

I used to struggle with sugary glazes because they would burn before the meat finished cooking. The lesson I learned was to sear the meat first and build the sauce in the pan right at the end. This prevents scorching while locking in moisture.

Adding the preserves and peppers off direct high heat creates a beautiful reduction. You get a glossy finish without any bitter, burnt sugar tastes. The balance of fruity sweetness and smoky spice is incredibly addictive.

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Raspberry Chipotle Chicken Recipe Ingredients

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup raspberry preserves
• 2 tablespoons chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

How To Make Raspberry Chipotle Chicken Recipe

1. Season The Chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt and black pepper.
2. Sear The Meat: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until golden brown.
3. Mix The Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the raspberry preserves, chopped chipotle peppers, garlic, and apple cider vinegar.
4. Glaze The Chicken: Reduce the skillet heat to low. Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken, turning the pieces to coat them fully.
5. Simmer And Thicken: Let the sauce bubble gently for 2 to 3 minutes until it thickens and the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Recipe Tips

• Control the heat: Start with just one tablespoon of chipotle peppers if you are sensitive to spice. You can always add more next time.
• Pound the chicken: Flattening the chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures they cook at the same rate.
• Watch the sugar: Keep the heat low once you add the preserves. High heat will quickly burn the fruit sugars.
• Use seedless preserves: Seedless raspberry jam yields a smoother sauce, but seeded works fine if you prefer the texture.

What To Serve With Raspberry Chipotle Chicken

This dish pairs perfectly with fluffy white rice or quinoa to soak up the extra pan sauce. Roasted green beans or a crisp green salad balance the rich, sweet heat of the chicken.

How To Store

Keep leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can freeze the cooked chicken for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water to loosen the glaze.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs work very well here. They may require an extra minute or two of cooking time depending on their thickness.

What if I don’t have apple cider vinegar?

You can substitute fresh lime juice or white wine vinegar. You just need a bit of acid to cut through the sweetness of the preserves.

Can I make this sauce ahead of time?

You can whisk the sauce ingredients together and store them in the fridge for up to a week. Pour it into the skillet when you are ready to finish the dish.

Nutrition

• Calories: 280 kcal
• Total Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 72 mg
• Sodium: 390 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 28 g
• Protein: 24 g