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Best-Ever Blueberry Thyme Chicken on white plate with blueberry sauce and fresh thyme garnish

Best-Ever Blueberry Thyme Chicken

Succulent chicken breasts marinated in a sweet blueberry glaze with aromatic thyme, seared to golden perfection and baked until tender.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Marinating Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, International
Calories: 285

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts 6-8 oz each
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil plus extra for searing
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped or 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper or to taste

Equipment

  • Large 12-inch oven-safe skillet
  • Mixing bowl
  • Resealable bag or shallow dish
  • Meat thermometer
  • Whisk

Method
 

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, honey, thyme, garlic, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper until well combined. Gently fold in fresh blueberries, being careful not to crush them too much. Some will break naturally during cooking to create the sauce.
  2. Place chicken breasts in a large resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour marinade over chicken. Seal bag and massage gently to coat, or turn each piece in the bowl until fully covered. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours for best flavor.
  3. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Heat a large 12-inch oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil.
  4. Remove chicken from marinade, reserving all marinade in the bowl. Sear chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and slightly caramelized.
  5. Pour reserved marinade with blueberries over the seared chicken in the skillet. Transfer skillet to preheated oven.
  6. Bake for 15-20 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Insert meat thermometer into the thickest center portion of the breast to check.
  7. Remove from oven and let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Spoon warm blueberry sauce over top and serve immediately.

Notes

For a grilled version, grill marinated chicken over medium-high heat instead of baking. Fresh blueberries work best, but thawed and drained frozen berries can be substituted. Chicken breasts should be 6-8 oz each for accurate cooking times. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat at 350°F for 10-12 minutes.