Kriek Cherry Glazed Chicken Thighs

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken thighs bathed in a sweet-sour glaze made with cherry lambic, finished with a glossy cherry preserve finish for a perfect balance of fruit and umami. This belgian-inspired chicken ready in about 60 minutes pairs chicken thighs, kriek, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 45 min Serves 4 Belgian cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Pat chicken thighs dry and season evenly with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear chicken skin-side down for 5-7 minutes until golden brown, then flip and sear for 2 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Remove chicken and set aside. Pour 1/2 cup kriek into skillet, scraping up browned bits. Add 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Simmer for 5 minutes until fragrant and slightly reduced.
  4. Step 4: Return chicken to skillet, skin-side up, spooning sauce over top. Transfer to oven and bake 20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  5. Step 5: Remove chicken and keep warm. Simmer remaining sauce over high heat for 5 minutes until thickened and coats the back of a spoon. Stir in 1/2 cup cherry preserves until fully incorporated and glossy.
  6. Step 6: Pour glaze over chicken and garnish with fresh thyme.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Kriek Cherry Glazed Chicken Thighs take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Kriek Cherry Glazed Chicken Thighs?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Kriek Cherry Glazed Chicken Thighs?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Kriek Cherry Glazed Chicken Thighs for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Kriek Cherry Glazed Chicken Thighs?

Belgian chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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