Description
A flavorful and juicy Blueberry Balsamic Chicken recipe featuring tender seared chicken thighs simmered in a sweet and tangy blueberry balsamic sauce, enhanced with fresh basil for a delightful twist on dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup blueberries
- 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tbsp honey (omit for Whole30)
- 1 tbsp coconut aminos
- 3/4 tsp sea salt (divided)
Chicken Ingredients
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 2 lbs chicken thighs (bone-in and skin on)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (omit for AIP)
- 2 tbsp fresh basil (chopped)
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the chicken thighs thoroughly.
- Make the Blueberry Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine blueberries, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, water, honey, coconut aminos, and half of the sea salt. Place over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 10 minutes until the blueberries soften and pop, creating a rich sauce. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat avocado oil in a large, preferably oven-safe, skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken thighs with the remaining sea salt and black pepper. Add the chicken, skin side down, and sear each side for 5-7 minutes until the skin is crisp and golden brown. Remove from heat.
- Combine and Bake: Pour the prepared blueberry sauce evenly over the seared chicken thighs in the skillet or transfer chicken and sauce to an oven-safe casserole dish. Cover with a lid or foil to retain moisture.
- Bake the Chicken: Place the covered dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. Then, remove the cover and continue baking uncovered for an additional 5 minutes. Check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Serve: Allow the chicken to rest briefly after baking. Garnish with freshly chopped basil before serving to add a fragrant and fresh flavor complementing the blueberry balsamic sauce.
Notes
- Omit honey to keep the recipe Whole30 compliant or substitute with a preferred natural sweetener if desired.
- For an AIP-compliant version, omit the black pepper.
- Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs help retain moisture and add flavor; you may substitute boneless thighs if preferred but adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Use an oven-safe skillet for easier transfer from stovetop to oven.
- Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
- Fresh basil can be substituted with fresh thyme or rosemary for a different herb profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce (about 6 oz)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: Blueberry Balsamic Chicken, baked chicken thighs, blueberry sauce, healthy chicken recipe, gluten free chicken, savory chicken dinner
