Blueberry Thyme Chicken Recipe
This Blueberry Thyme Chicken recipe offers a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors with tender seared chicken breasts topped with a vibrant, homemade blueberry and thyme sauce. Perfectly balanced with balsamic vinegar and honey, this dish is both elegant and easy to prepare, making it ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion meal.
- Author: mia
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
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)
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- Get organized: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and gather all your ingredients. This preparation ensures the cooking process flows smoothly and quickly once you start.
- Season generously: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture and season both sides thoroughly with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Proper seasoning enhances the chicken’s flavor.
- Make the magic sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the fresh blueberries, balsamic vinegar, honey, and fresh thyme leaves. Using a fork, gently smash the blueberries as they cook to create a chunky, jam-like sauce. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Sear to perfection: Heat the olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side, turning once, until they develop a beautiful golden-brown crust.
- Bring it together: Pour the prepared blueberry sauce directly over the seared chicken breasts in the skillet. You should hear a gentle sizzle and smell the enticing aroma of the sauce marrying with the chicken.
- Finish in the oven: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) as measured by a meat thermometer.
- Serve with style: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for 3 minutes. Plate the chicken breasts, spoon extra sauce from the pan over them, and garnish with reserved fresh blueberries and a sprig of thyme for an elegant presentation.
Notes
- Use fresh thyme for the best flavor; dried thyme works in a pinch but reduce the quantity to avoid overpowering the sauce.
- Ensure chicken is patted dry before seasoning to get a better sear and crust.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer for perfectly cooked chicken without drying it out.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a light arugula salad.
- Leftover chicken 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
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: blueberry chicken, thyme chicken, balsamic chicken, healthy chicken dinner, easy chicken recipe, blueberry sauce chicken