Best-Ever Blueberry Thyme Chicken Recipe
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.
- 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
