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Thyme Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 75 reviews

Thyme Chicken is a sophisticated yet simple dish featuring tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts seared to a golden crust and finished in the oven with a luscious blueberry, balsamic vinegar, and honey sauce infused with fresh thyme. This recipe elevates weeknight dinners by combining sweet, savory, and herbaceous flavors in a beautiful pan sauce that caramelizes perfectly for a restaurant-quality experience at home.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Sauce

  • 1 cup fresh blueberries (reserve a few for garnish if desired)
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)

Instructions

  1. Get organized: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and gather all your ingredients to streamline the cooking process.
  2. Season generously: Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel and season both sides liberally with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance flavor.
  3. Make the magic sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the fresh blueberries, balsamic vinegar, honey, and thyme leaves. Gently mash the blueberries with a fork as they cook, allowing the mixture to simmer and thicken into a chunky, jammy sauce for about 5 minutes.
  4. Sear to perfection: Heat the olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear the chicken breasts for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust.
  5. Bring it together: Pour the freshly made blueberry sauce over the seared chicken in the skillet, letting the sizzling sauce infuse the meat with rich flavor.
  6. Finish in the oven: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer instead of relying solely on time for perfectly cooked chicken.
  7. Serve with style: Allow the chicken to rest for 3 minutes out of the oven to let the juices redistribute, then plate and drizzle with extra sauce. Garnish with a sprig of fresh thyme for an elegant presentation.

Notes

  • Don’t skip searing the chicken; the golden crust locks in juices and adds flavor.
  • Ovens vary, so always trust a meat thermometer to check doneness rather than timing alone.
  • The blueberry sauce caramelizes beautifully in the oven for a glossy, flavorful finish without any complex cooking techniques.
  • Store cooked chicken covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat gently in a covered pan with a splash of chicken broth to prevent the sauce from sticking or drying out. Avoid microwaving to preserve texture and sauce consistency.
  • Serve over creamy mashed potatoes, wild rice, roasted asparagus, or a simple green salad for a complete meal.
  • Wine pairings such as crisp Pinot Grigio or light Pinot Noir complement the dish nicely.
  • Variations include adding lemon juice for brightness, cinnamon and black pepper for warmth, fresh rosemary for more herbal depth, or substituting white wine for balsamic vinegar for elegant complexity.

Keywords: thyme chicken, blueberry sauce chicken, seared chicken breast, balsamic chicken, honey thyme chicken, oven baked chicken, easy chicken dinner

Find it online: https://cheframi.com/thyme-chicken-recipe/