Name: Cherries Jubilee Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 4 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts; ⅓ cup olive oil; 1 tablespoon minced onion; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; ½ cup cream sherry; 1 (12 oz) bottle chili sauce; 1 (13.5 oz) jar dark cherries in juice, pitted

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 19 reviews

I’m super excited to share this Cherries Jubilee Chicken Recipe with you because it’s one of those dishes that feels fancy but comes together so easily. You get juicy chicken breasts bathed in a delicious, tangy cherry and chili sauce that’s unexpected but totally delightful. Whenever I make it, guests always ask for seconds — and it works perfectly for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.

What I love most about this Cherries Jubilee Chicken Recipe is the balance of flavors — the sweetness from the dark cherries paired with a little kick from the chili sauce and depth from cream sherry. If you enjoy meals that have that perfect sweet-and-savory harmony, I promise you’re going to want to try this soon.

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Why This Recipe Works

Flavor Balance: The sweet cherries and savory chili sauce create a rich, harmonious taste that keeps you coming back for more.
Simple Prep: Minimal ingredients and easy steps make it an accessible recipe, even if you’re new to cooking with fruit sauces.
Marinating Magic: Letting the chicken soak in the cherry mixture tenderizes it and infuses intense flavor throughout.
Versatility: Whether you’re after a weeknight meal or something special for company, this dish fits the bill beautifully.

A close-up view of a cooked solo chicken breast piece held on a metal spatula with a wooden handle, showing a thick red sauce spread unevenly over the top, with a dark, slightly charred small round topping in the middle layer. The chicken is light golden brown with white visible under the sauce, and it sits above a glass baking dish holding similar chicken pieces in the background, filled with a red-brown sauce. The dish rests on a pink cloth surface, but the background is changed to a white marbled texture. The photo has a sharp focus on the single chicken piece with soft blur in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients for this Cherries Jubilee Chicken Recipe are straightforward but carefully chosen to complement each other perfectly. I always make sure to get good-quality dark cherries in juice for that authentic rich flavor, and the cream sherry adds a lovely depth that you wouldn’t expect in a chicken dish.

Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Tender and lean, they soak up the cherry marinade beautifully, keeping the meat juicy.
Cream sherry: Adds a subtle hint of sweetness and complexity, enhancing the cherries without overpowering them.
Olive oil: Helps meld the marinade ingredients and keep the chicken moist during marination and baking.
Minced onion: Adds a savory base note to the sauce that balances the sweetness.
Garlic powder: Bring warmth and depth; garlic works wonders in almost any savory dish.
Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning and highlighting the cherry flavors.
Chili sauce: Gives a gentle heat and a tangy kick that wakes up the sweet cherries.
Dark cherries in juice (pitted): The star ingredient that makes this dish special — the pits are removed so you get smooth bursts of fruity sweetness.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love suggesting you play around with this Cherries Jubilee Chicken Recipe so it fits your flavor preferences perfectly. Sometimes I swap the chili sauce for a milder one if I want less heat, or add a touch of fresh rosemary for a herby twist. You can make it your own and still keep that classic cherry-chicken vibe.

Spicy Variation: I once added a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra kick — it was a hit with friends who like it hot!
Herbaceous Twist: Fresh thyme or rosemary stirred into the marinade adds delightful aroma and pairs amazingly with cherries.
Diet Adjustments: For a lower-calorie version, I use less olive oil and swap chili sauce for a sugar-free version.
Seasonal Changes: Frozen cherries work well too if you can’t find jarred ones, just thaw and drain before using.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherries Jubilee Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Marinate Your Chicken for Flavor

Start by placing your chicken breasts in a large baking dish. Mix cream sherry, olive oil, minced onion, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a bowl, then pour it all over the chicken. Make sure each piece gets flipped and coated thoroughly — this step is key to infusing the chicken with those rich, savory cherry flavors. Cover and set it in the fridge for 3 to 4 hours, or even overnight if you want to prep ahead. The longer, the tastier!

Step 2: Preheat and Prepare Cherry-Chili Sauce

When you’re ready to cook, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a small bowl, combine the chili sauce with the jar of dark cherries and their juice. This mixture is the magic topping that will turn your chicken into a show-stopping meal. Pour it evenly over the marinated chicken breasts in the baking dish.

Step 3: Bake Covered and Check for Doneness

Cover your dish with foil and bake for 45 to 55 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This slow, covered bake keeps the chicken incredibly moist and allows the cherry sauce to reduce slightly, thickening around the meat. Use a meat thermometer if you have one — it really helps avoid overcooking.

Step 4: Let It Rest Before Serving

Once baked, take the chicken out and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This little pause helps the juices redistribute through the meat so it stays juicy when you slice in. Plus, it gives the sauce a chance to settle so every bite bursts with cherry goodness.

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Pro Tips for Making Cherries Jubilee Chicken Recipe

Use a Meat Thermometer: I can’t stress this enough — it helps avoid dry chicken every time.
Marinate Longer if Possible: Overnight marinating amps up the flavor in a way a few hours can’t.
Don’t Skip the Resting Step: Resting keeps the juices locked in so your chicken isn’t dry when cut.
Drain Excess Cherry Juice for Less Runoff: If you prefer a thicker sauce, drain some juice before adding the cherries to the chili sauce.

How to Serve Cherries Jubilee Chicken Recipe

A clear glass baking dish holds four pieces of browned chicken with a reddish-brown sauce covering parts of each piece. Each chicken piece is topped with a single black olive, and additional black olives rest in the sauce around the chicken. The sauce looks oily with a mix of dark brown and orange colors. The dish is placed on a red and white cloth over a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually finish the dish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley — it brightens up the rich, fruity sauce and adds a pop of color on the plate. Sometimes a few toasted slivered almonds on top add a nice crunch contrast and look stunning if you’re serving company.

Side Dishes

My favorite sides with this recipe are buttery mashed potatoes or creamy polenta — they soak up that cherry chili sauce perfectly. Roasted green beans or sautéed spinach provide a fresh, slightly bitter counterpoint that balances all the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I sometimes plate the chicken over a bed of wild rice and drizzle the cherry sauce artistically around. Garnishing with edible flowers gives a splash of elegance, making the dish feel really special and festive.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftovers I keep in an airtight container in the fridge and usually use within 3 days. The chicken stays moist, and the sauce even seems to develop richer flavor after a day or two.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this chicken a couple of times — wrap tightly in foil and place in a freezer bag. When thawed and reheated, while the texture softens a bit, the flavors still hold up nicely if you’re in a pinch.

Reheating

I recommend reheating leftovers gently in the oven covered with foil at 325°F to prevent drying out. If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works, but go low power and short intervals, stirring sauce over the chicken to keep it moist.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of jarred for the Cherries Jubilee Chicken Recipe?

Absolutely! Fresh pitted cherries work wonderfully, especially in season. Just be sure to add a little extra juice (like a splash of cherry juice or water) to keep the sauce moist during baking.
Is cream sherry necessary, or can I substitute it?

You can substitute cream sherry with dry white wine or apple juice if you prefer non-alcoholic options, though the flavor won’t be quite as rich. The sherry adds a subtle depth that pairs beautifully with the cherries.
How spicy is the chili sauce in this recipe?

The chili sauce adds a gentle heat, not overpowering but enough to contrast nicely with the sweetness of the cherries. You can adjust the heat level by choosing a milder or spicier chili sauce depending on your taste.
Can this dish be made ahead of time?

Yes! The chicken actually benefits from marinating ahead—up to overnight in the fridge. You can also assemble everything and bake it fresh when ready to serve for the best texture.

Final Thoughts

This Cherries Jubilee Chicken Recipe holds a special place in my recipe box because it brings together unexpected ingredients in such a winning way. It’s easy to make yet impressive enough to serve guests or treat your family to something a bit different. Give it a try—you’re going to love the juicy chicken and the cherry sauce combo as much as I do, I promise!