Best-Ever Blueberry Thyme Chicken Recipe
This Best-Ever Blueberry Thyme Chicken combines juicy seared chicken breasts with a sweet and savory blueberry thyme marinade, baked to perfection. The fresh blueberries add a burst of flavor balanced by aromatic thyme, garlic, and balsamic vinegar, making it an elegant and easy-to-make dish perfect for any occasion.
- 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 & 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. Stir thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well mixed.
- Add Blueberries: Gently fold in the fresh blueberries, taking care not to crush them to maintain their shape and texture.
- Marinate Chicken: Place chicken breasts in a large resealable bag or bowl, then pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure each piece is fully coated. Seal the bag or cover the bowl, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor infusion.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken after searing.
- Sear Chicken: Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and add a splash of olive oil. Remove chicken breasts from the marinade (reserve the marinade for later use) and sear each breast for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until the exterior is golden brown.
- Add Marinade: Pour the reserved marinade with the blueberries over the seared chicken in the skillet to infuse flavor during baking.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake the chicken for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C), ensuring the chicken is cooked through.
- Rest: Remove the skillet from the oven and allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes. This helps the juices redistribute, keeping the chicken moist and tender.
- Serve: Slice the chicken breasts and spoon the blueberry thyme sauce over the top before serving for a beautiful presentation and burst of flavor.
Notes
- Be gentle when folding in blueberries to prevent them from bursting prematurely.
- Marinating the chicken longer enhances the depth of flavor but avoid exceeding 2 hours to maintain chicken texture.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness to avoid undercooked or overcooked chicken.
- If you don’t have fresh blueberries, frozen blueberries can be used but fresh is preferred for texture.
- Serve with a side of roasted vegetables or a light salad to complete the meal.
Keywords: blueberry chicken, thyme chicken, baked chicken recipe, blueberry sauce, easy chicken dinner
