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Best-Ever Blueberry Thyme Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.2 from 84 reviews

This Best-Ever Blueberry Thyme Chicken is a flavorful and elegant dish combining tender, juicy chicken breasts with a fresh blueberry and thyme marinade. The chicken is seared to golden perfection, baked to juicy tenderness, and finished with a vibrant blueberry sauce that’s both sweet and savory. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or entertaining guests, this recipe offers an incredible balance of fresh herbs and fruity sweetness.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

  1. Prepare Marinade: In a bowl, combine olive oil, honey, thyme, garlic, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create the marinade base.
  2. Add Blueberries: Gently fold in the fresh blueberries, taking care not to crush them, so they remain whole to release flavor during cooking.
  3. Marinate Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable bag or bowl. Pour the blueberry marinade over the chicken, ensuring every piece is evenly coated. Refrigerate and let marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor infusion.
  4. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking after searing.
  5. Sear Chicken: Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and add a small amount of olive oil. Remove chicken from marinade (reserve marinade with blueberries) and sear each breast for 3-4 minutes on both sides until they develop a golden brown crust.
  6. Add Marinade: Pour the reserved marinade along with the blueberries over the seared chicken in the skillet, evenly distributing the sauce.
  7. Bake: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake the chicken for 15-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) to ensure it is fully cooked and tender.
  8. Rest: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in moist and flavorful meat.
  9. Serve: Slice the chicken breasts and spoon the warm blueberry thyme sauce from the skillet over the top. Serve immediately and enjoy this delicious, aromatic dish.

Notes

  • Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes but no longer than 2 hours to prevent the acid in the marinade from breaking down the meat too much.
  • Use fresh blueberries for the best texture and flavor; frozen blueberries will release more liquid and alter the sauce consistency.
  • If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, sear the chicken in a regular skillet, then transfer to a baking dish to finish baking.
  • Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is safely cooked to 165°F (75°C).
  • For a dairy-free and gluten-free meal, this recipe is naturally suitable as is.

Keywords: Blueberry chicken, thyme chicken, baked chicken breast, blueberry sauce, healthy chicken recipe, easy dinner recipe, savory blueberry sauce

Find it online: https://epicrecipebox.com/best-ever-blueberry-thyme-chicken-recipe/