Blueberry Thyme Chicken Recipe
Blueberry Thyme Chicken is a delightful and elegant dish featuring juicy seared chicken breasts topped with a tangy, sweet blueberry and balsamic glaze infused with fresh thyme. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion, this recipe combines fresh, wholesome ingredients for a flavorful and visually stunning meal.
- Author: zara
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 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
Blueberry Thyme 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 to prepare for a smooth cooking process.
- Season generously: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Make the magic sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the blueberries, balsamic vinegar, honey, and fresh thyme over medium heat. Gently smash the blueberries with a fork as they cook to form a chunky, jam-like sauce, cooking for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Sear to perfection: Heat the olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken breasts and sear each side for 2-3 minutes until they develop a golden-brown crust.
- Bring it together: Pour the blueberry sauce over the seared chicken breasts in the skillet. The sauce should sizzle as it hits the hot pan, releasing wonderful aromas.
- Finish in the oven: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), ensuring it is fully cooked.
- Serve with style: Let the chicken rest for 3 minutes after removing from the oven. Serve with the extra sauce drizzled over, and garnish with reserved fresh blueberries and a sprig of thyme for an elegant presentation.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken to avoid overcooking.
- If fresh thyme is unavailable, dried thyme works but use half the quantity as it is more concentrated.
- For a thicker sauce, simmer the blueberry mixture a few extra minutes until desired consistency is reached.
- This dish pairs well with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a simple green salad.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently to maintain moisture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Blueberry chicken, thyme chicken, balsamic chicken, healthy chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, baked chicken with fruit sauce