Best-Ever Blueberry Thyme Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
This Best-Ever Blueberry Thyme Chicken recipe combines juicy, tender chicken breasts with a vibrant blueberry and thyme marinade. It’s a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and herbaceous flavors, ideal for a quick yet elegant weeknight dinner or a special occasion meal.
- Author: mia
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Marinate, Sear, Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
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
- 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, being careful not to crush them, to maintain their shape and burst of flavor.
- Marinate Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable bag or bowl. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Refrigerate and marinate 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 small amount of olive oil. Remove chicken from the marinade, reserving the marinade, and sear each breast for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and deliciously caramelized.
- Add Marinade: Pour the reserved marinade with 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 oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Rest: Remove from oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes so the juices redistribute, resulting in moist, tender meat.
- Serve: Slice the chicken, spoon the blueberry-thyme sauce over the top, and enjoy a beautiful and flavorful dish.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken overnight if time allows.
- If fresh blueberries are not available, frozen blueberries can be used; just thaw before adding to the marinade.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked safely to 165°F (75°C).
- This dish pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh green salad.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: blueberry chicken, thyme chicken recipe, baked chicken, healthy chicken recipe, flavorful chicken, easy dinner