The Best Blueberry Thyme Chicken (That Even Skeptics Can’t Resist!) Recipe
This Blueberry Thyme Chicken recipe offers a delightful combination of savory and sweet flavors that even skeptics will love. Tender, juicy chicken breasts are perfectly seared and finished in the oven with a luscious homemade blueberry, balsamic, and thyme sauce, making for an elegant yet easy-to-make dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (use the good stuff for searing)
Blueberry Thyme Sauce
- 1 cup fresh blueberries (save a few for garnish if you’re feeling fancy!)
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried in a pinch)
Instructions
- Get organized: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and gather all your ingredients—this moves quickly once you start.
- Season generously: Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. Don’t be shy here—proper seasoning makes all the difference.
- Make the magic sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine blueberries, balsamic vinegar, honey, and fresh thyme over medium heat. Gently smash blueberries with a fork as they cook, creating a chunky, jammy sauce (about 5 minutes total).
- Sear to perfection: Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear chicken breasts 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and gorgeous.
- Bring it together: Pour that beautiful blueberry sauce right over the seared chicken in the skillet—it should sizzle and smell incredible.
- Finish in the oven: Transfer skillet to preheated oven and bake 20-25 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Trust your thermometer over timing!
- Serve with style: Let rest for 3 minutes, then serve with extra sauce drizzled on top and maybe a sprig of fresh thyme for that restaurant look.
Notes
- Using fresh blueberries brightens the flavor, but frozen blueberries may be substituted if fresh are unavailable.
- For a slightly different flavor profile, try adding a splash of lemon juice to the sauce before baking.
- Ensure the skillet is oven-safe before searing and transferring to the oven to avoid accidents.
- Letting the chicken rest after baking helps retain its juices for a moist final dish.
- Use a meat thermometer to precisely check that chicken is cooked through to 165°F (74°C) for safety and optimal texture.
Keywords: Blueberry chicken recipe, Thyme chicken, Balsamic chicken, Easy chicken dinner, Healthy chicken recipes, Sweet and savory chicken
