Introduction

Discover the delicious harmony of sweet blueberries and fragrant thyme in this Best-Ever Blueberry Thyme Chicken. It’s a simple yet elegant dish perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Juicy chicken breasts are marinated, seared, and baked with a luscious blueberry sauce that will impress your guests.

The image shows three pieces of grilled chicken with a golden brown, slightly charred surface. Each piece has a shiny glaze of dark sauce and is topped with several glossy, deep purple blueberries and a small sprig of fresh green herb, likely thyme. The chicken pieces sit in a pool of thick, dark sauce on a white plate with a white marbled texture in the background. The lighting highlights the glossy textures and the colorful contrast between the blueberries, herbs, and chicken. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup fresh blueberries
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
2 cloves garlic, minced
Zest of 1 lemon
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Step 1: In a bowl, combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, thyme, garlic, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create the marinade.
Step 2: Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight for deeper flavor.
Step 3: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 4: In a small saucepan over medium heat, cook the blueberries for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until they break down into a sauce. Add a splash of water if the berries start to stick.
Step 5: Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the marinated chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until nicely browned.
Step 6: Pour the blueberry sauce over the chicken in the skillet, spreading it evenly.
Step 7: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
Step 8: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest a few minutes. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves if desired.
Step 9: Slice the chicken and drizzle with any remaining blueberry sauce from the skillet before serving.

Tips & Variations

For extra zest, add a splash of lemon juice to the blueberry sauce while cooking.
Substitute dried thyme with rosemary for a different herbal note.
Serve with rice, quinoa, or roasted vegetables to complete the meal.
Use frozen blueberries if fresh are not available, just thaw them slightly before cooking.

Storage

Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave to keep it moist. The blueberry sauce may thicken when cooled; add a little water or broth when reheating if needed.

How to Serve

The image shows several golden-brown cooked chicken thighs arranged closely together on a white plate, each topped with a thick, dark purple sauce that looks like berry jam. Between the chicken thighs, there are thin, curved slices of light yellow lemon, some slightly caramelized. Sprigs of fresh green rosemary are scattered on and around the chicken, adding a touch of color and texture. The chicken skin looks crispy with a shiny, slightly oily surface, and the sauce on top has a glossy, chunky texture. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs work well. Adjust the cooking time as thighs may take slightly longer to reach the safe internal temperature.

Is it possible to prepare this dish without an oven-safe skillet?

Yes, sear the chicken in a regular skillet then transfer to a baking dish before adding the blueberry sauce and baking. Just be careful when handling hot pans.

Best-Ever Blueberry Thyme Chicken Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 127 reviews

Best-Ever Blueberry Thyme Chicken is a deliciously unique dish combining juicy, marinated chicken breasts with a sweet and tangy blueberry thyme sauce. This recipe features a simple marinade infused with fresh thyme, garlic, and lemon zest, followed by searing and baking for tender, flavorful chicken topped with a vibrant blueberry reduction. Perfect for an elegant dinner or special occasion, this dish balances savory and fruity notes beautifully.

Author: Ruby
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes to overnight (including marinating time)
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
2 cloves garlic, minced
Zest of 1 lemon
Salt and pepper, to taste

Blueberry Sauce

1 cup fresh blueberries

Instructions

Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, fresh thyme, minced garlic, lemon zest, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over them, ensuring each piece is coated. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight for deeper flavor.
Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking the chicken after searing.
Sauté the Blueberries: In a small saucepan over medium heat, cook the blueberries for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they soften and start to break down into a sauce. Add a splash of water if the blueberries begin to stick to the pan.
Cook the Chicken: Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken breasts and sear them for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust.
Add Blueberries: Pour the prepared blueberry sauce evenly over the seared chicken in the skillet.
Bake: Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and is cooked through.
Garnish: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes. Garnish with additional fresh thyme leaves if desired.
Serve: Slice the chicken breasts and drizzle with any remaining blueberry sauce from the skillet before plating.

Notes

For best results, marinate the chicken overnight to maximize flavor infusion.
If fresh blueberries are not available, frozen blueberries can be used, just thaw them before cooking.
The blueberry sauce can be adjusted to your liking by adding a bit more honey if you prefer it sweeter.
Ensure the skillet used for searing is oven-safe to avoid transferring the chicken to another dish before baking.
Use a meat thermometer to verify the chicken is cooked safely to avoid undercooking.

Keywords: Blueberry Thyme Chicken, baked chicken, blueberry sauce, healthy chicken recipe, savory and sweet chicken, oven baked chicken breasts, blueberry marinade