Chicken Cerise
Chicken Cerise combines tender chicken with tart cherries, pineapple, and warm spices, creating a flavorful dish perfect for special occasions or family dinners with a sweet-savory twist.
Ingredients
- 3 chickens (2 lb. each), halved or split
- 2 cups canned red sour pitted cherries ⓘ
- 6 Tbsp. butter
- 1 Tbsp. flour ⓘ
- 1 tsp. sugar ⓘ
- 1/8 tsp. ground allspice
- 1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon ⓘ
- 1/8 tsp. dry mustard ⓘ
- 1 cup crushed pineapple ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. dark rum or 1 Tbsp. rum extract ⓘ
- 1 chicken bouillon cube
- 1/4 tsp. red food coloring ⓘ
- paprika ⓘ
- 1 tsp. salt ⓘ
Instructions
- Season the chicken with paprika and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Saute the chicken in butter until browned.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the remaining butter, blend flour, sugar, allspice, cinnamon, dry mustard, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Drain the cherries, reserving the liquid, and pour the liquid into the skillet.
- Return the chicken to the skillet.
- Add crushed pineapple, rum or rum extract, chicken bouillon cube, and red food coloring.
- Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Add the cherries and simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For enhanced flavor, marinate the chicken in the spices and a bit of rum overnight. If you don’t have dark rum, rum extract works well as a substitute. Additionally, consider using fresh cherries when in season for a vibrant and fresh taste. If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can add a bit more flour to the mixture. This dish pairs beautifully with Electric Skillet Fried Chicken.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Chicken Cerise over a bed of fluffy rice or alongside buttery mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce. A crisp green salad or steamed vegetables makes for a refreshing side. For a complete meal, consider pairing it with a glass of white wine or a light fruit-based cocktail to complement the cherry flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the chicken in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or chicken broth to keep it moist. Cover with a lid to allow even heating, stirring occasionally until warmed through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Cerise contains roughly 239 calories, with 6g protein, 53g carbohydrates, and 1g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (32% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber and iron. It also contributes 4g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen cherries instead of canned?
Yes, you can use frozen cherries, but make sure to thaw and drain them before adding to the dish. This will help prevent excess water from diluting the sauce. Frozen cherries may also provide a fresher taste, especially if canned options are not available.
What can I substitute for chicken bouillon?
If you don’t have chicken bouillon, you can use homemade chicken stock or vegetable broth for a similar flavor. Just be mindful of the salt content, as broth can be saltier than bouillon, so adjust the added salt accordingly.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To add some heat, consider incorporating a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce mixture. You can also serve it with a side of spicy pickles or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes on top for an extra kick.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).