Sticky Chicken Breast

This Sticky Chicken dish with sweet jelly sauce is a quick weeknight dinner that is packed with flavor! Seasoned chicken is seared with onion and bell pepper, then dressed with a sweet jelly sauce that balances the act. This dish is versatile enough to be served with any of your favorite sides, and you won’t believe how quickly this comes together!

Yield: approximately 4 servings (depends on chicken breast size)
Prep Time: about 10-15 minutes
Cook Time: about 20-25 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness

• Onion powder

• Garlic powder

• Dried thyme

• Salt & black pepper

• 1–2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or bacon fat

• ½ onion, thinly sliced

• ½ bell pepper, thinly sliced

• 2 tablespoons sweet jelly grape, apricot, or your favorite

• ½ cup chicken stock or water (to thin the jelly)

• 1–2 teaspoons butter

Directions

1. Prepare Chicken: Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Pound to even thickness for consistent cooking. Lightly sprinkle both sides of the chicken with onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pat the seasonings in to adhere.

2. Sear Chicken & Veggies: Heat oil or bacon fat in a skillet over medium heat. When shimmering, reduce heat slightly to medium-low. Add chicken breasts and scatter in sliced onion and bell pepper. Brown chicken on both sides, about 3–4 minutes per side. Chicken will not be fully cooked yet.

3. Make Sticky Sauce: Remove chicken from skillet and set aside. In that same skillet, add the sweet jelly and stir until it begins to melt. Pour in chicken stock or water gradually, just enough to loosen the jelly into a glaze-like sauce.

4. Finish Cooking: Return the chicken to the pan. Spoon some sauce over the top. Cover with a lid and simmer on low until the chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165°F), about 5–10 minutes. Once cooked, stir in 1–2 teaspoons of butter to finish the sauce and make it glossy and rich.

5. Serve: Plate the chicken with the sautéed onions and bell peppers. Spoon sauce over the top. Enjoy with rice, potatoes, or crusty bread!