Description
A delightful and elegant chicken dish featuring tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts topped with a vibrant blueberry thyme sauce made with fresh blueberries, balsamic vinegar, and honey. This recipe balances savory and sweet flavors, perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a healthy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
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 some for garnish if desired)
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
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 freshly ground black pepper. Proper seasoning enhances the flavor deeply.
- Make the magic sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine blueberries, balsamic vinegar, honey, and fresh thyme. Gently smash the blueberries with a fork as they cook to create a chunky, jammy sauce. This should take about 5 minutes.
- Sear to perfection: Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear the chicken breasts 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and beautifully caramelized.
- Bring it together: Pour the blueberry sauce over the seared chicken in the skillet. The sauce will sizzle and release wonderful aromas.
- Finish in the oven: Transfer the skillet to your preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to ensure safety and juiciness.
- Serve with style: Let the chicken rest for 3 minutes before serving. Drizzle extra sauce on top and garnish with a sprig of fresh thyme for an elegant presentation.
Notes
- You can substitute dried thyme if fresh is not available, but use half the amount.
- Ensure chicken breasts are even in thickness for uniform cooking, or pound them gently if needed.
- This dish pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables, couscous, or a light green salad.
- Leftovers keep well for 2 days in the refrigerator and reheat gently to preserve moisture.
- For a gluten-free meal, verify that balsamic vinegar is gluten-free as some brands may vary.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: blueberry chicken, thyme chicken recipe, berry sauce chicken, healthy chicken dinner, easy chicken recipe
