Savory Pepper-Glazed Chicken Pieces
Indulge in this savory and spicy dish featuring succulent bone-in chicken breasts, slow-cooked in a rich homemade sauce. The combination of ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and a hint of brown sugar creates a delightful glaze that's perfectly complemented by the warm notes of black pepper and celery seed. This easy-to-prepare meal is ideal for busy weeknights but sophisticated enough for entertaining guests. Serve it with a side of roasted vegetables or fluffy rice to soak up the delicious sauce. Cooked to perfection with crispy skin on the outside and tender, juicy meat on the inside, this dish will become a new family favorite.
N/A
Servings
425
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Split bone-in skinless chicken breasts
4 (cut in half)
Water
1 cup (none)
Ketchup
1 cup (none)
Apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon (none)
Brown sugar
1 tablespoon (none)
Ground black pepper
1 teaspoon (measured)
Celery seed
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Bay leaf
1 (none)
Nonstick cooking spray
as needed (for cooking surfaces)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2
Using poultry shears, carefully cut each split bone-in chicken breast in half, ensuring you cut through the bone.
3
In a large nonstick skillet, heat over medium-high heat. Spray with nonstick cooking spray and add the chicken pieces, browning them for about 2-3 minutes per side. Do not cook completely; just give them a crisp outer layer.
4
Transfer the browned chicken pieces into a generously sprayed 9x13-inch casserole dish. Make sure they are spaced out evenly.
5
In a medium bowl, whisk together the water, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, ground black pepper, and celery seed until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
6
Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken in the casserole dish, ensuring each piece is coated. Add the bay leaf to the pan.
7
Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
8
After 30 minutes, gently baste the chicken with the pan drippings. Continue to cook for an additional 30 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit). Cooking time may vary depending on the chicken's weight.
9
Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken from the oven and transfer to a serving platter. If desired, pour any remaining pan drippings into a gravy dish for a delightful dipping sauce.
10
For a thicker sauce, transfer the remaining sauce to a saucepan. Heat over medium-low, whisk in flour that has been mixed with a bit of water until smooth, and stir until the sauce thickens to your liking.
Nutrition Information
12.5g
Fat
35g
Carbs
35g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Pepper-Glazed Chicken Pieces?
This is a savory and spicy dish featuring bone-in chicken breasts slow-cooked in a rich glaze made from ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar.
What type of chicken is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for four split bone-in skinless chicken breasts, each cut in half.
At what temperature should the oven be set?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
How should I cut the chicken breasts?
Use poultry shears to carefully cut each split bone-in chicken breast in half, making sure to cut through the bone.
Do I need to brown the chicken before baking?
Yes, brown the chicken pieces in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side to create a crisp outer layer.
What size baking dish is required?
You should use a 9x13-inch casserole dish that has been generously sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
What ingredients are in the savory glaze?
The glaze is made by whisking together water, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, ground black pepper, and celery seed.
Should the chicken be covered while baking?
No, the chicken should be baked uncovered to allow the flavors to meld and the glaze to set.
How long does the chicken need to bake?
The chicken bakes for a total of 60 minutes: an initial 30 minutes, followed by basting and another 30 minutes of cooking.
What is the target internal temperature for the chicken?
The chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
How can I thicken the sauce if it is too thin?
Transfer the sauce to a saucepan over medium-low heat and whisk in a mixture of flour and a bit of water until it reaches your desired thickness.
When should I add the bay leaf?
Add the bay leaf to the casserole dish just before putting it into the oven.
What should I do with the pan drippings?
You can pour any remaining pan drippings into a gravy dish to serve as a dipping sauce.
Is this recipe spicy?
Yes, the dish has a spicy profile due to the ground black pepper and the savory notes in the sauce.
What are the nutritional facts per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 425 calories, 12.5g of fat, 35g of carbohydrates, and 35g of protein.
Can I use this recipe for meal prep?
Yes, this easy-to-prepare meal is ideal for busy weeknights and leftovers can be served with rice or vegetables.
What side dishes go well with this chicken?
This dish is best served with roasted vegetables or fluffy rice to soak up the delicious glaze.
How much brown sugar is used?
The recipe uses one tablespoon of brown sugar.
What kind of vinegar is required?
One teaspoon of apple cider vinegar is used to provide a tangy balance to the sauce.
How much black pepper is in the glaze?
The recipe calls for one teaspoon of ground black pepper.
Do I need to spray the skillet?
Yes, spray the skillet with nonstick cooking spray before browning the chicken.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
While the recipe specifies bone-in breasts, you could use thighs, though cooking times may need to be adjusted.
What is the role of celery seed in this recipe?
Celery seed adds a warm, slightly earthy note that complements the black pepper and ketchup.
How many chicken pieces will this recipe make?
Since you start with four split breasts and cut them in half, you will have eight chicken pieces.
Is the chicken skin removed?
The ingredient list specifies skinless chicken breasts, but the browning process still provides a crisp outer texture.
How much ketchup is needed?
The recipe requires one cup of ketchup for the glaze.
Is this dish family-friendly?
Yes, it is described as a family favorite that is both easy for weeknights and sophisticated enough for guests.
Can I double the sauce recipe?
Yes, if you prefer extra sauce for your side dishes, you can double the glaze ingredients and follow the thickening instructions.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 9 ingredients in total, including the cooking spray.
When should I baste the chicken?
Baste the chicken with the pan drippings once, exactly 30 minutes into the baking time.