Best-Ever Blueberry Thyme Chicken Recipe
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.
- 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
