Introduction

Discover a delightful blend of sweet and savory with this Best-Ever Blueberry Thyme Chicken. Juicy chicken breasts are enhanced by a fragrant thyme marinade and fresh blueberries, making for a unique and tasty meal perfect for any occasion.

Three pieces of glazed chicken with a shiny, dark brown sauce cover the surface, each piece showing a golden-brown roasted texture with black pepper flakes scattered on top. Each chicken piece is crowned with a small cluster of glossy, deep purple blueberries and small green thyme sprigs adding fresh color. The chicken rests in a pool of thick, dark sauce on a white plate that has subtle ridged edges, all placed on a white marbled textured surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

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

Instructions

Step 1: In a bowl, combine olive oil, honey, thyme, garlic, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create the marinade.
Step 2: Gently fold fresh blueberries into the marinade, being careful not to crush them.
Step 3: Place chicken breasts in a large resealable bag or bowl. Pour the marinade over, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Refrigerate and let marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor.
Step 4: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Step 5: Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil. Remove chicken from the marinade, reserving the marinade, then sear each breast for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
Step 6: Pour the reserved marinade with blueberries over the seared chicken in the skillet.
Step 7: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
Step 8: Remove from oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to settle.
Step 9: Slice the chicken and serve topped with the blueberry sauce.

Tips & Variations

Use dried thyme if fresh is not available, but reduce to 1 tablespoon as it is more concentrated.
For a richer sauce, stir in a tablespoon of butter into the skillet jus before serving.
Add a splash of white wine to the marinade for an extra depth of flavor.
Serve alongside roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.

Storage

Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave to maintain moisture. The blueberry sauce may thicken when chilled, so stir in a little water or chicken broth when reheating if needed.

How to Serve

Three pieces of cooked chicken thighs are arranged on a white plate. Each chicken thigh has a glossy, golden-brown surface with dark charred bits scattered on top, giving a textured look. The chicken is covered with a thick, dark brown sauce that pools slightly around the base of each piece. On top of the chicken thighs, there are clusters of shiny dark purple berries, with a few small sprigs of green herbs resting on one of the pieces, adding a fresh contrast in color. The background shows 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 frozen blueberries for this recipe?

Fresh blueberries are best to maintain their shape and texture, but frozen can be used in a pinch. Thaw them first and gently fold them into the marinade to avoid breaking.

What can I substitute if I don’t have balsamic vinegar?

You can substitute with red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar mixed with a small amount of honey to balance the acidity and sweetness.

Best-Ever Blueberry Thyme Chicken Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 248 reviews

This Best-Ever Blueberry Thyme Chicken is a delicious and elegant dish featuring tender chicken breasts marinated in a flavorful blend of fresh blueberries, thyme, garlic, honey, and balsamic vinegar. The chicken is perfectly seared on the stovetop to lock in juices, then baked to tender perfection with the blueberry marinade, creating a beautiful and tasty sauce. Ideal for a classy weeknight dinner or special occasion, this recipe blends savory and sweet flavors with fresh herbs for an unforgettable meal.

Author: Dylan
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Marinade and Sauce

1 cup fresh blueberries
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried thyme)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Prepare Marinade: In a bowl, combine olive oil, honey, thyme, garlic, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create a flavorful marinade base.
Add Blueberries: Gently fold in the fresh blueberries into the marinade, being careful not to crush them so they stay whole and burst gently during cooking.
Marinate Chicken: Place the chicken breasts into a large resealable bag or bowl. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is completely coated. Seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours to deepen the flavors.
Preheat Oven: Set your oven to preheat at 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken after searing.
Sear Chicken: Heat a large oven-safe skillet on medium-high heat and add a small amount of olive oil. Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade, reserving the marinade for later. Sear each chicken breast for 3-4 minutes per side until they develop a golden brown crust.
Add Marinade: Pour the reserved marinade along with the blueberries over the seared chicken breasts in the skillet, allowing the sauce to coat the chicken as it bakes.
Bake: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C), ensuring it is fully cooked and juicy.
Rest: Once done, carefully remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. This resting period lets the juices redistribute throughout the meat, making it tender and moist.
Serve: Slice the cooked chicken breasts and spoon the flavorful blueberry thyme sauce on top before serving to highlight the sweet and herbaceous combination.

Notes

For best results, do not smash the blueberries when mixing into the marinade to preserve texture.
Using an oven-safe skillet ensures you can sear and bake in the same pan, simplifying cleanup.
Adjust salt and pepper to taste depending on dietary preferences.
Fresh thyme is preferred for its vibrant flavor, but dried thyme can be used as a substitute.
Check chicken temperature with an instant-read thermometer to avoid overcooking.
This dish pairs well with roasted vegetables, rice, or crusty bread.

Keywords: blueberry chicken, thyme chicken, baked chicken, sweet and savory chicken, easy chicken recipes, healthy chicken dinner, blueberry sauce chicken