Best-Ever Blueberry Thyme Chicken Recipe
Best-Ever Blueberry Thyme Chicken is a flavorful and elegant dish featuring tender, marinated chicken breasts cooked in a savory blueberry and thyme glaze. This recipe combines fresh blueberries, fragrant thyme, garlic, and a touch of honey and balsamic vinegar to create a delightful sauce that perfectly complements the juicy chicken. Easy to prepare and impressive in presentation, it’s perfect for a special dinner or gatherings.
- Author: Rami
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
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
- Prepare Marinade: In a bowl, combine olive oil, honey, thyme, garlic, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create a balanced marinade that will infuse the chicken with flavor.
- Add Blueberries: Gently fold in the fresh blueberries, being careful not to crush them, so they maintain their shape and burst with flavor during cooking.
- Marinate Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable bag or bowl. Pour the marinade over the chicken, coating each breast thoroughly. Seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours to maximize flavor absorption.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) so it’s ready for baking after searing the chicken.
- Sear Chicken: Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of olive oil, remove chicken from marinade (reserve marinade), and sear each breast for 3-4 minutes on both sides until golden brown to lock in juices and develop flavor.
- Add Marinade: Pour the reserved marinade, including the blueberries, over the seared chicken in the skillet, allowing the sauce to mingle with the chicken as it bakes.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C), ensuring the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Rest: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, resulting in moist and flavorful meat.
- Serve: Slice the chicken breasts and spoon the blueberry-thyme sauce generously over the top. Garnish with fresh thyme if desired. Serve alongside complementary sides for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use fresh blueberries instead of frozen for better texture and flavor.
- Marinate the chicken for up to 2 hours for deeper flavor infusion.
- Letting the chicken rest after baking keeps it moist and juicy.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F (75°C) internally.
- Adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving can brighten the flavors.
Keywords: Blueberry chicken, Thyme chicken, Baked chicken breasts, Fruit glaze chicken, Healthy chicken recipe, Easy dinner, Gluten free chicken recipe