I received a Father’s Day pitch recently that made me chuckle: “Surprise him with something different,” it encouraged, and went on to suggest that Dad would love the extra thought and effort of ” – a home cooked meal”.
I guess it struck me as humorous because I thought of Danny and the some 365 home cooked meals he enjoys in a year. It wouldn’t be much of a ‘surprise’ to see the table set on this coming Sunday and dinner on its way. But I know this isn’t the case for many dads out there, and a meal, enjoyed around the home table with family, is preferred over a crowded restaurant.
This family-style platter of strawberry-glazed grilled chicken breasts and grilled asparagus is served up right off the grill and is unbeatable when it comes to ease. It’s also pretty up there with singing spring flavors too. Serve it with a side of boiled new potatoes and an ice-cold beer and the man of the house will have no complaints.
Remember the homemade strawberry vinegar we made last week? Well this week we’re reducing it down into a sticky, tangy glaze for grilled chicken.
Reducing vinegar down to a thick glaze is an old restaurant trick; I have decorated many a plate with lines and dots of balsamic reduction. In the reduction process, the water evaporates and the vinegar is concentrated so much it actually becomes quite sweet. It should be used with a light hand though as it is quite potent!
For ease, and to save on pot-washing, I reduced the strawberry-infused vinegar in the microwave. In a few minutes it went from this
to this:
It becomes a vibrant glaze that is sweet and tangy, like a barbeque sauce, and most excellent when paired with the grilled chicken. Here’s the recipe. Enjoy!
| Strawberry-Glazed Grilled Chicken Breasts |
|
Print
|
- 2 large chicken breasts, boneless, skin on
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- salt & pepper
- 1/2 cup homemade strawberry vinegar
- Rinse chicken breasts under cold water and pat dry.
- Rub chicken with olive oil and season all over with salt and fresh ground black pepper.
- Preheat grill and prepare it for direct-heat grilling over medium heat.
- Place strawberry vinegar in a wide microwavable bowl (I use a soup bowl) and microwave on high for 3 minutes. This reduces the vinegar.
- Meanwhile, toss your chicken breasts on the grill, skin side down.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula and microwave again for 3 minutes. Stir with the spatula. It should be thicker.
- Microwave for one more minute, and the vinegar should be reduced into a glaze, about the consistency of honey.
- Once the chicken has had about 5 minutes on the skin side, flip it, and continue cooking another few minutes (time will vary with portion size).
- Remove chicken and brush strawberry glaze all over. Allow to rest for a few minutes, then slice diagonally and serve.
More great grilling recipes:
- Bacon and Blue Cheese Sliders
- Cumin & Oregano Marinated Beef Kebabs
- Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon
- Grilled Caesar Salad
- Grilled Corn & Avocado Salad with Lime & Basil
- Grilled Peach and Haloumi Salad
- Grilled Balsamic Rosemary Carrots
Are you grilling for Father’s Day? What’s on the menu?
About Aimee
Love this one Aimee!
In Katrina’s Kitchen’s last post: Frozen Blueberry Basil Lemonade Mini Pies
This recipe looks great.
I don’t think my husband would be too surprised by a home-cooked meal either, but I will be trying to make some of his favorite recipes on Sunday as well.
Anna@The DIY Mom’s last post: Mandarin Mondays:等一等 (Wait a Little)
This looks to die for! We are still about a week away from the start of our strawberry season, but I am storing all these little gems for when we do have some strawberries available for PYO!
Heather’s last post: have a wonderful friday!
Well I love strawberries and I LOVE chicken!
This looks delish!
xo
teresa’s last post: Toblerone Shortbread Bars
Thanks for showing us how to reduce sauces in the microwave!
Stephanie’s last post: Avocado Nutella Spread
Absolutely! It’s a time saver for sure.
This is just gorgeous! What a great way to dress up chicken.
Deborah’s last post: Baked Coconut Donuts
I love combining chicken with fruit. This would be a great July 4 (or Canada Day) picnic dish, too.
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)’s last post: Quick and easy cole slaw recipe
Me too! And you’re right, great picnic fare.
This has me drooling all over Aimee. Absolutely lovely!
Seriously, does it get much easier?
Thanks, Aimee!
Hardly.
Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for the microwave tip! I’ve always reduced liquids on the stove and it seems to take forever; this will be much easier.
Steph’s last post: Vulnerability, transparency and why it took me so long to tell anyone I had a blog
You know, it really is. And you can walk away from it without worrying about it scorching.
WOW – strawberries and chicken breasts? I never would have thought of this combo, done this way! Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks Julie. Glad to give back because YOU inspire me all the time.
PS. See you in April for the FBC conf?
Thanks for the recipe. We don’t have a grill; would it still work pan-fried?
Sleeping Should Be Easy’s last post: The benefits of pretend play
It sure will. Just sear off the chicken in a little olive oil and butter, then glaze it when it is resting. Enjoy!
This sounds incredible Aimee!! I must make this very soon!!
Heather | Farmgirl Gourmet’s last post: Walnut Levain & A Bakers Dream Come True!
Nope, I’ll be making something quick and easy. It’s Sunday lunch, after all; we come home from church right at lunchtime.
This looks delicious! A request for roast has been put in. So I’m staying inside this Sunday.
Yum! I am totally obsessed with strawberries right now – definitely making this for dinner this week.
Allison’s last post: Spinach and Feta Stuffed Shells: Easy Pasta Dinner
If the weather is nice, we will absolutely be grilling! My favorite thing lately is doing a whole spatchcock chicken– it cooks so fast!
Ariana {And Here We Are…}’s last post: An Afternoon in France
OH MY GOODNESS. This combines two of our very favorite things in the food world, chicken and strawberries. Looks gorgeous, too.
Steph@theminddoeswander’s last post: More and more and more, Part 1
This sounds amazing! Do you think it would also work with strawberry jam? I know it doesn’t take long to make the strawberry vinegar, but I get lazy in the summer and jam is one thing I always have readily available.
Tracy’s last post: Strawberries & Cream Tart & A Coffee Moment
I think it would be too sweet with just jam, but you could cut it with some lemon juice or vinegar.
Aimee’s last post: Strawberry-Glazed Grilled Chicken Breasts
Thanks Aimée!
Tracy’s last post: Strawberries & Cream Tart & A Coffee Moment
Two of my favorites for summer… together?!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel’s last post: Buttermilk Waffles
Thanks for this health recipe Aimee! I never tried strawberry glaze to grilled meat yet. I should try to do this on the weekend.
Clarina’s last post: Chinese medicine LA
Wow this looks good! Plus it has the added bonus in that my husband is the one who does all the grilling around here (I pretend I don’t know how). This means that he will be doing most of the cooking part for his own Father’s Day meal. Pretty sneaky, huh?
Shoes’s last post: A Stampede of What?
We’ll be grilling Sunday evening. We will be making chicken and beef fajitas, homemade refried beans and tortillas, chips, guacamole, and a variety of homemade salsas. Haven’t decided on a dessert yet. That’s always the hardest part for me.
Sarah’s last post: New Mexican Meatloaf with a Spicy-Sweet Pepper Glaze
That is one stunning dish, Aimee. Danny’s such a good dad, I almost wish *I* could buy him a present!
Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies’s last post: Fredericksburg Peach and Southern Comfort Jam
I think I got the same type of email and thought it was a bit odd, but I forget that not everyone cooks as much as we do! This dish looks absolutely perfect for any day of the year.
Jamie | My Baking Addiction’s last post: French Onion Chip Dip
Funny, Jamie. =) And you’re right, this could be a year-round family dinner.
Wow this looks really great. I have to taste it!:)
Stephanie’s last post: Giveaway: Six Month Language Course with LiveMocha
Oh, I love the recipe and the sauce.
Eva Haley’s last post: Get The Glowing Smile You Have Dreamed Of
This really look so yummy so I will consider to cook this for my kids and husband.
Leah Cron’s last post: How to Get a Beautiful Smile with a Teeth Whitening
Thanks for recipe.. It is really great idia..Thanks for sharing. I will try today itself…
Bharati Naik’s last post: Atta Halwa/Godhi Hittina Halva/Godhi Manni