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Strawberry Chicken is an easy stovetop recipe that impresses with a tasty topping of strawberries, fresh basil, and balsamic glaze.
If strawberries are the first berry you think of for a spring or summer meal, you're in the right place!
When they are in season, spinach chicken strawberry salad is on regular rotation for lunch at my house.
So, I thought, why not incorporate strawberries into a savory chicken dish too, so you can enjoy a burst of fresh fruit in every bite?
For this easy strawberry chicken recipe, layer a salsa mixture of berries, basil, and balsamic sauce over pan-fried chicken. Be sure to save some of the toppings to make strawberry bruschetta!
You'll love this recipe because:
- It takes 25 minutes to prepare and uses just 1 pan, so it's a perfect addition to our 30-minute meals section.
- It's healthy, low-carb, keto-friendly, and gluten-free.
- It has just 6 ingredients (not including olive oil, salt, and pepper)
- The presentation is sure to impress!
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Ingredient Notes
Here's what you'll need for this easy strawberry balsamic chicken recipe:
- Thin-sliced chicken, such as cutlets or fillets. Alternatively, pound skinless chicken breasts to approximately ½ inch thick so they will cook quickly in a skillet.
- Sweet paprika adds color and a bit of kick. Do not use smoked paprika unless you want a smoky flavor.
- Fresh strawberries. Frozen strawberries aren't recommended. Almost any sweet fruit will work in this recipe. A berry medley with blueberries and raspberries would be lovely, too.
- Fresh basil adds another dimension of flavor. Dried basil is not recommended.
- Balsamic glaze or vinegar pairs beautifully with strawberries. It adds flavor, even if you don't reduce it. You can buy it at the grocery store or make it yourself.
- Feta or goat cheese crumbled. Leave off for a dairy-free version.
You'll also need the usual suspects: olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Please refer to the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and detailed instructions.
Directions with Pictures
Make the strawberry balsamic topping first, then cook the chicken. Here's how to do it:
- Chop strawberries into medium-sized dice.
- Stir chopped basil, balsamic syrup, olive oil, and feta or goat cheese into the strawberries. Set the strawberry mixture aside. Note: Cheese can be added at serving time instead.
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and sweet paprika. Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add chicken in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, depending on its thickness. Note: Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 °F.
- Place chicken on a plate and spoon strawberry basil topping over the top.
I know what you are thinking. Can you scoop the strawberry basil topping with crackers or low-carb tortilla chips? Yes. Yes, you can, and it's delicious!
How to Easily Cut Basil
You don't need a cutting board and knife. To cut fresh basil, stack the leaves, roll them, and use kitchen scissors to cut them into thin strips. Depending on the direction you roll the stack, the julienne pieces will be long or short.
How to Make Balsamic Syrup
Balsamic glaze or syrup can be purchased at the grocery store. But it's easy to make! The directions below will yield more than you need, so you can use it with other things like Watermelon Salad or Caprese-style dishes.
- Place about half a cup of balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan. There's no need to add sugar or sweetener, but you can add a pinch if desired.
- Bring vinegar to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to low and simmer until it turns syrupy and coats the back of a spoon when you stir it. It takes about 10-15 minutes, depending on how much you want to reduce it! Ideally, the volume will be cut in half.
- Allow it to cool before using it in the recipe.
Store balsamic syrup in an airtight container for up to 3 months in the refrigerator.
Serving Ideas
I plated strawberry chicken on a bed of baby spinach leaves for a very strawberry-licious meal! A simple salad, crispy green beans, and roasted balsamic asparagus are also favorites at our house.
Storage
Scrape off the strawberry topping and store the leftover chicken in an airtight container for about 3 days. The topping is best the day it's made. Make fresh for leftovers or use the chicken in another way.
Reheat chicken in the microwave on medium power using short, 30-second to 1-minute bursts. Alternatively, warm in a skillet coated with a little olive oil.
Would you like more easy, healthy, carb-conscious recipes?
📋 Recipe
Easy Strawberry Chicken
Ingredients
- ¼ cup basil leaves stacked, rolled and sliced into slivers
- 1 cup diced strawberries
- 2 teaspoons balsamic glaze
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil divided
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese
- 1 pound chicken cutlets
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
Instructions
- Stir diced strawberries, chopped basil, balsamic glaze, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, and crumbled cheese together in a bowl. Set aside.
- Heat remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Place cutlets in a single layer in the skillet, working in batches if necessary.
- Cook chicken for 3-4 minutes without disturbing. Flip to the other side and cook for 3-4 minutes more or until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165 °F. Cooking time will vary depending upon the thickness of the chicken.
- Remove chicken to serving plate and spoon strawberry mixture on top.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on 1/17/2016 and has been updated to improve the reader experience.
Linda J Creed says
We had just bought some excellent strawberries. So, I made this and it was so delicious!
Marjory Pilley says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Christina says
What an incredible recipe! The flavors are insane! I'll be making this over and over
Justine says
I was a little on the fence about the strawberry bruschetta, but this was AMAZING. Looking forward to making it again!
Renee says
What a way to brighten up chicken and make a feast for the eyes and the tummy!