By Kaleigh McMordie - , Updated
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These 3 ingredient pomegranate balsamic chicken thighs couldn't be easier to make! They're flavorful, juicy, and perfect for a simple weeknight dinner. (gluten-free, dairy-free)
Looking for something different to make for dinner tonight? Something healthy-ish but still delicious, comforting, and also easy? Keep reading. I got you.
Why You'll Love This Pomegranate Chicken
These pomegranate balsamic chicken thighs are awesome because they are so ridiculously simple to make. All you need are a skillet and three ingredients, and you're halfway to dinner! Not to mention, they are DELICIOUS - tender, juicy chicken thighs coated in a sweet, sticky, tangy pomegranate balsamic sauce. They're unexpected, but so good!
How To Make Pomegranate Balsamic Chicken
It's super easy. All you have to do is:
- Season your chicken with salt and pepper
- Sear the chicken in a skillet
- Whisk together the sauce in the same skillet
- Stick it all in the oven to finish cooking
Tips for Perfect Pomegranate Chicken
- First things first - use thighs. If you haven't tried cooking chicken thighs yet, you need to. They are quite literally fail-proof. They're impossible to dry out and go well with just about anything. I used boneless, skinless thighs in this recipe for simplicity.
- Sear, baby, sear. The secret for perfect chicken thighs is to sear them before baking to seal in all those juices and get a nice golden exterior.
- Make sure you're using an oven-proof skillet so that you can transfer the skillet straight from oven to stove. I like a cast-iron skillet or a GreenPan nonstick skillet (pictured here).
- Don't worry if the sauce isn't thickened much before baking. It will thicken up in the oven. Just look for the amount of sauce to be reduced by about half before adding the chicken back in and putting it in the oven.
More Easy Chicken Dinners
- Healthy Orange Chicken
- Mediterranean Chicken and Farro Bake
- 3 Ingredient Hummus Chicken
- Orange Basil Chicken
- Sheet Pan Honey Turmeric Chicken with Cauliflower and Grapes
- Easy Margarita Chicken
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the comments!
3 Ingredient Pomegranate Balsamic Chicken
These 3 ingredient pomegranate balsamic chicken thighs couldn't be easier to make! They're flavorful, juicy, and perfect for a simple weeknight dinner. (gluten-free, dairy-free)
- Author: Kaleigh
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 3-4 servings 1x
- Category: main dish
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Coarse sea salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tsp avocado or olive oil
- ½ cup pomegranate juice
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- pomegranate arils, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Pat chicken thighs dry with a paper towel, then liberally season with salt and pepper.
- Heat oil in a cast-iron skillet or other large oven-proof skillet over high heat on the stove. Sear chicken thighs for 2-3 minutes per side, then remove to a clean plate. Cover and set aside.
- Pour pomegranate juice and balsamic into the skillet and bring to a boil for 1 minute, then turn heat down to medium low. Whisk to deglaze the skillet and let cook until mixture has reduced by half, about 10-15 minutes.
- Return chicken thighs to the pan with the sauce and turn to coat. Place skillet in the oven to finish cooking chicken, about 15 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken reads 165° F.
- Serve chicken with a drizzle of sauce from the pan and a sprinkle or pomegranate arils (optional).
Notes
- Make sure to use chicken thighs. They're impossible to dry out and go well with just about anything. I used boneless, skinless thighs in this recipe for simplicity.
- The secret for perfect chicken thighs is to sear them before baking to seal in all those juices and get a nice golden exterior.
- Make sure you're using an oven-proof skillet so that you can transfer the skillet straight from oven to stove. I like a cast-iron skillet or a GreenPan nonstick skillet (pictured here).
- Don't worry if the sauce isn't thickened much before baking. It will thicken up in the oven. Just look for the amount of sauce to be reduced by about half before adding the chicken back in and putting it in the oven.
Keywords: pomegranate chicken thighs, easy pomegranate chicken, pomegranate balsamic chicken
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About Kaleigh McMordie
Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD, is a Registered Dietitian and Licensed Dietitian in Abilene, Texas, as well as a member of the Baby Led Weaning Dietitians Network. Kaleigh can be found at kaleighmcmordie.com.
Reader Interactions
Comments
LT says
Tried this recipe about a week ago and it was fabulous! So easy too. Back by popular demand I am making this again tonight.. with the coconut ginger rice. Mmmm.. mmm.. good!
★★★★★
Reply
Kaleigh says
So glad you liked it!
Reply
athleticavocado says
WOW this looks like such a quick and delicious dinner! The combo of balsamic vinegar + pomegranates sounds divine!
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