Best-Ever Blueberry Thyme Chicken Recipe
Discover the vibrant flavors of Best-Ever Blueberry Thyme Chicken, a perfect balance of sweet and savory with juicy chicken breasts marinated in fresh blueberries, thyme, garlic, honey, and balsamic vinegar. This recipe combines a simple searing technique followed by oven baking to create a tender and flavorful dish ideal for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
- 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. Mix well to create a flavorful marinade base.
- Add Blueberries: Gently fold in the fresh blueberries, taking care not to crush them to preserve their texture and juice.
- Marinate Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable bag or bowl and pour the marinade over them, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for enhanced 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 dash of olive oil. Remove chicken breasts from the marinade, reserving the marinade. Sear each chicken breast for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown to seal in juices.
- Add Marinade: Pour the reserved marinade along with the blueberries over the seared chicken in the skillet, ensuring an even coating of sauce and blueberries.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C), ensuring it is thoroughly cooked and juicy.
- Rest: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, allowing the juices to redistribute to maintain moistness.
- Serve: Slice the cooked chicken breasts and spoon the blueberry sauce on top before serving for a beautiful, flavorful presentation.
Notes
- For best flavor, use fresh blueberries and fresh thyme if possible.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to your taste preference.
- Marinating the chicken longer will intensify the blueberry and thyme infusion.
- Be careful not to overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
- You can serve this dish with rice, quinoa, or roasted vegetables.
Keywords: blueberry chicken, thyme chicken, baked chicken, blueberry sauce chicken, easy chicken recipe, flavorful chicken breasts
