Savor the Flavor: Ultimate Cherry Bomb Chicken Recipe
Looking to spice up your chicken game? Look no further than the explosive flavor of Cherry Bomb Chicken. This bomb chicken recipe is not for the faint of heart, as it packs a punch of heat and sweetness that will leave your taste buds reeling.
The key ingredient in this dish is the smoky cherry bomb pepper, delivering a complex and unique flavor that will make it stand out from any other chicken recipe you’ve tried before. The combination of sweet and spicy notes creates a tantalizing flavor profile that makes this dish exciting and unforgettable.
My love for entertaining and creating memorable dining experiences inspired me to create this recipe that has proven to be a hit with my guests time and time again. It’s perfect for outdoor barbecues, dinner parties or even a simple weeknight meal.
Don’t be intimidated by the spiciness of this bomb chicken recipe. As your scribe, I will walk you through each step in detail, providing tips and tricks to ensure that your Cherry Bomb Chicken comes out perfectly every time. So let’s dive into the details on how to make this knockout dish!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Are you tired of the same old boring chicken recipes? Are you looking for something that will spice up your dinner table? Look no further than Cherry Bomb Chicken! This recipe is a tantalizing combination of sweet and spicy that will have your taste buds exploding with flavor.
But what makes this recipe so special? Let me count the ways. First, the brine is crucial to creating tender and juicy chicken. By mixing together water, kosher salt, sugar, allspice, chili peppers, and garlic in a blender and letting it soak for at least 30 minutes (but preferably overnight), you create the foundation for a truly succulent dish.
But we don’t stop there. We add the smoky cherry bomb sauce – made from habanero peppers, smoky cherry peppers, garlic, cherry liqueur and other flavorful ingredients – to bring out a deliciously spicy kick that perfectly complements the sweetness of the cherries.
And let’s not forget about the cherry tomatoes! These little bursts of flavor add just the right amount of freshness and acidity to balance everything out.
This recipe is versatile too – it works just as well with chicken breasts as it does with wings or even meatloaf! And if you’re feeling adventurous, substitute in Carolina Reaper peppers for a truly fiery experience.
So what are you waiting for? Give this recipe a try and watch your taste buds explode with joy!
Ingredient List
Here are the ingredients you will need to make Cherry Bomb Chicken:
- Chicken Parts: You can use a whole chicken or cut it into individual pieces (breasts, legs, wings)
- Water, Kosher Salt and Sugar: These ingredients are needed for the brine that will guarantee juicy and flavorful meat.
- Cherry Bomb Pepper: This is the star of the show. It is a sweet and spicy pepper with smoky notes that complements the chicken perfectly. If you can’t find Cherry Bomb peppers, habanero peppers or Thai sweet chili peppers will be good substitutes.
- Garlic Cloves: Garlic enhances the flavors of both the chicken and the Cherry Bomb pepper.
- Dijon-Style Mustard: Its tanginess adds a nice dimension to the recipe.
- Light Soy Sauce: Adds saltiness and umami flavor to the dish.
- Cherry Tomatoes: These add a burst of color and freshness to the final dish.
- Sugar, Allspice, Chili Peppers, Garlic Powder: These spices create a dry rub that adds depth of flavor and balances out the heat from the Cherry Bomb pepper.
- Chicken Broth: This will be used in the sauce that accompanies this recipe. Homemade broth works best for optimal flavors but store-bought broth will work just fine.
Make sure that you have these ingredients on hand before you start cooking!
The Recipe How-To
Now that we have gone through the ingredients, let’s see how to put them together to make this amazing Cherry Bomb Chicken Recipe.
Brining the Chicken
First things first – we have to start with the most important step, which is brining the chicken. To make sure our chicken is flavourful and juicy, we will prepare a simple brine solution with water, kosher salt, and sugar, along with some allspice, chili peppers, and garlic. Once you have combined all these ingredients in a bowl or container, add in your chicken parts and let them brine for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours (if possible). This is a crucial step in making sure that every bite of your chicken is flavorful and juicy.
Preparing the Smoky Cherry Bomb Marinade
While your chicken is brining, it’s time to get started on the marinade. In a blender or food processor, combine garlic cloves, habanero peppers, cherry bomb cherry liqueur (or other cherry liqueur), and some smoky cherry tomatoes. Blend until everything is well combined to make a thick liquid. Add in some Dijon-style mustard, light soy sauce, green onions, and chicken broth. Mix until everything looks well combined.
Marinating the Chicken
Once your marinade incorporates all of the pleasant flavors from the previous step, take out your brined chicken breast and saturate it in the marinade mixture. Make sure you coat all sides of the chicken pieces generously to lock in all of those tempting flavors. We recommend marinating it for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight in a refrigerator if possible.
Fire Up Your Grill!
It‘s time to preheat your grill or BBQ. Also please take this moment to ensure you soak wood chips for around 20 minutes before adding them to your grill surface if you’d like an extra hit of smoke flavour in your grilled chicken. Get creative with your setup! Try building a two-zone fire so that you can move chicken around as needed while maintaining varying heat zones throughout cooking process.
Grilling Time!
Once everything is ready — the grill is heating up, and the marinated chicken has been brought out of Chiller — its grilling time! Propertly oil up hot grates and place chicken on grill surface over parallel lines of coals/wood chips. Perfect timing will be about 40 mins but it may vary depending on part size/thickness of meat cuts. Keep track of time from about 10-15 mins into cooking process when you Need flip those Chicken pieces over onto alternate side.
There you have it – fresh off the grill Cherry Bomb Chicken Recipe ready for consumption! Enjoy this flavorful variant on standard barbecue chicken with hints of sweet cherries blended with spicy habanero peppers – this dank recipe surely won’t disappoint!
Substitutions and Variations
If you’re looking to add some variety to your cherry bomb chicken, here are a few substitutions and variations that you may find helpful!
– Chicken Parts: This recipe uses chicken breasts, but you can use any chicken parts you prefer. Try chicken wings for a spicy finger-licking appetizer or use the recipe for a chicken meatloaf.
– Spice Level: If you’re not a fan of super spicy food, you can always tone down the heat by using fewer habanero peppers or mild chili peppers instead. If you like it extra hot, try adding some Carolina Reaper to the mix.
– Smoky Cherry Bomb: For a different flavor twist, try adding some smoked elements to your recipe. You can use smoked habanero peppers, smoked paprika or even grill your chicken with smoky cherry wood chips.
– Thai Sweet: Want to add some sweetness to balance out the spice? Try swapping out the dijon-style mustard and soy sauce for some thai sweet chili sauce.
– Vegetarian: For non-meat eaters, this recipe would be fantastic with tofu or seitan. Add some extra texture by marinating overnight and grilling or frying them up.
Whether you’re experimenting with new ingredients or trying to adapt this recipe to accommodate unique dietary needs, there’s no limit to your creativity when it comes to cherry bomb chicken!
Serving and Pairing
Once you’ve prepared this tantalizing cherry bomb chicken recipe, it’s time to think about what sides and drinks will complement the spicy yet sweet flavor of the dish.
For a fresh and flavorful side, consider serving the chicken with a refreshing salad made from cherry tomatoes, green onions, and cucumbers dressed with a light soy sauce and rice vinegar dressing. The acidity of the salad ingredients will balance perfectly with the heat of the chicken.
If you prefer something more substantial, try pairing this dish with classic barbecue sides like corn on the cob or baked beans smothered in a tangy barbecue sauce. You could also serve it alongside Thai-style fried rice or garlic roasted potatoes for a heartier meal.
To wash down the spicy notes of the cherry bomb chicken, a refreshing cocktail like The Cherry Bomb would be ideal. This cocktail combines cherry liqueur with vodka, soda water, and a splash of lime juice for a sweet yet zesty beverage that will cool your palate.
For those looking for an alcohol-free option, try pairing the chicken with an ice-cold glass of sparkling water infused with cucumber and mint. The crispness will complement well with the spice in the chicken.
Whichever pairing you choose, make sure to have plenty of napkins on hand – things are bound to get messy when devouring this classic bomb chicken recipe!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
One of the great things about Cherry Bomb Chicken is that it can be made ahead of time and reheated when you’re ready to serve it. But, like any dish, there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to store and reheat it successfully.
If you need to make the chicken ahead of time, allow it to cool completely before refrigerating. You can leave the chicken whole or cut into smaller pieces, depending on your preference. It will last for up to three days in the refrigerator.
When reheating, take care not to overcook the chicken, as this will dry it out. I recommend using an oven or air fryer to get that crispy skin back. Reheat at 400°F for around 10-15 minutes until heated through.
If you have leftovers after serving, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Cherry Bomb Chicken is great cold or reheated, so don’t hesitate to enjoy those leftovers in a sandwich or as a salad topping.
To freeze Cherry Bomb Chicken, wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to three months. Be sure to label the container with the date and contents for easy reference later.
Overall, Cherry Bomb Chicken is a versatile dish that can be prepared ahead of time and still taste just as delicious when reheated or eaten cold. Just remember to follow these simple storage and reheating tips so you can enjoy its spicy goodness whenever you please!
Tips for Perfect Results
Hosting a party means you want everything to be perfect, especially the cherry bomb chicken. To ensure the best possible results of this recipe, here are some tips to keep in mind.
First and foremost, don’t skip the brine step. Letting the chicken rest in a brine mixture of salt, sugar, allspice, chili peppers, garlic, and warm water for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours makes it more flavorful and juicy.
Another tip is to cut your chicken into four pieces (breast, drumstick, thigh, and wing) so that they cook evenly. The marinade will also penetrate better into every inch of your chicken meat.
When making the smoky cherry bomb paste in a blender or food processor using smoky cherry tomatoes, habanero peppers, garlic cloves, and Dijon-style mustard, make sure to scrape down the sides periodically to blend everything well.
Grilling is one way of cooking chicken cherry bomb recipes. To grill chicken breasts for this recipe over medium-high heat with a bit of smoky char from the cherry-infused barbecue sauce will elevate its flavors. Remember to brush each chicken part with firecracker barbecue sauce before grilling.
If you’re planning on using hot cherry peppers for more spice and heat, it’s important to handle them with caution. Use gloves to chop them up finely before adding them into your recipe.
For those who love crispy crunchy texture on their chicken wings try coating them with flour and cornstarch mixture before air frying them. This will give you a healthier version of your spicy Thai sweet chili wings.
Last but not least , make sure to let your cooked chicken rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving. It will allow it to absorb all its juices better, preventing it from ending up dry and tasteless.
These tips should come in handy when cooking this perfect party dish that everyone will love!
FAQ
Before concluding this article, I understand that there may be questions about this delicious Cherry Bomb Chicken Recipe. That’s why I’ve gathered some of the most frequently asked questions to help you make your perfect Cheery Bomb Chicken dish.
What is a cherry bomb made of?
Get ready to impress your guests with the Cherry Bomb cocktail, a delightful concoction that blends cachaça liquor, cherry liqueur, zesty lime juice, and club soda. The grassy and dry notes of cachaça blend harmoniously with the sweet cherry flavor and tangy lime juice, while the added bubbles from the club soda add a pleasant fizzy texture to the drink.
What does a cherry bomb taste like?
This cocktail, aptly named the Cherry Bomb, is loaded with grenadine, resulting in a blast of cherry flavor. However, as the cherry taste subsides, you’ll start to detect a hint of chocolate. While it doesn’t exactly mimic the taste of a chocolate-covered cherry, it’s pretty darn close.
How long should you brine chicken?
When it comes to brining chicken, it’s best to give it enough time for the flavors to infuse. A period of 12 hours works well, but if you really want to maximize the taste, aim for 18 to 24 hours. However, it is important to not go beyond the 24-hour mark as it can cause the chicken to become overly salty. Once the brining process is complete, remove the chicken, pat it dry, and store it in the refrigerator until it’s time to cook it up.
How long do you brine chicken breast?
To prep the chicken, you can either soak it in a brine or create a dry brine. To soak in a brine, place the chicken breasts in the mixture and store it in the fridge for 30 minutes to overnight. If you opt for a dry brine, place the chicken breasts on a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet and generously sprinkle salt on both sides before letting it refrigerate, uncovered, for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the Cherry Bomb Chicken Recipe is an absolute crowd-pleaser that will surely make your dinner party unforgettable. It’s a dish that can be made spicy or mild, depending on your taste preference, and it’s versatile for any occasion. This recipe is so easy to follow and uncomplicated that you can even make it ahead of time for stress-free cooking.
I encourage you to try this recipe and let the smoky and spicy flavors explode in your mouth. Experiment with different substitutions and variations to find what works best for you. Remember, cooking is all about having fun and being creative.
Overall, this recipe is perfect for any event, season or day of the week. Impress your friends and family with this fiery dish that leaves them craving for more. You won’t regret making the Cherry Bomb Chicken recipe a staple in your household!
Cherry Bomb Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup light soy sauce
- 1 (10 ounce) jar cherry preserves
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup dijon-style mustard
- 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (to taste)
- 4 -5 lbs chicken parts, rinsed and patted dry
- green onion, sliced lengthwise
Instructions
- In small saucepan, mix soy sauce, preserves, garlic and mustard.
- Stir over med heat just until preserves are melted and mix is well blended.
- Season to taste with hot pepper sauce. Cool.
- Arrange chicken in single layer in baking dish just large enough to hold pieces.
- Pour sauce over all and turn to coat evenly.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 1 day.
- Lift chicken from marinade, collecting remaining marinade in small bowl.
- Grill chicken over med coals until done, about 25 min, turning frequently and basting with additional marinade.
- Garnish with green onions.
Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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Anna is a culinary expert who specializes in grilling delicious BBQ dishes. She also enjoys sharing her recipes and experiences with her foodie community on her blog. She’s the total package for any backyard barbecue!