The Ultimate Blackberry Balsamic Chicken Recipe
This Ultimate Blackberry Balsamic Chicken recipe transforms simple boneless, skinless chicken breasts into a sophisticated meal featuring a glossy, tangy-sweet blackberry balsamic sauce. The combination balances sweet, tart, and savory notes beautifully, making it perfect for an elegant yet easy weeknight dinner. The sauce’s natural fruit sugars keep the chicken moist and flavorful, with nutritious benefits from fresh blackberries adding antioxidants and vitamin C.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Blackberry Balsamic Sauce
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blackberries
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar (use a good quality vinegar)
- 2 tbsp honey (raw or local works best)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Other
- 1 tbsp olive oil for greasing the baking dish
- Fresh thyme sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking and help with even baking.
- Make the Blackberry Balsamic Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the blackberries, balsamic vinegar, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, gently smashing the blackberries with a fork as they soften to maintain some texture without turning them into mush.
- Simmer Sauce to Thicken: Continue simmering the sauce until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon. The sauce should become glossy and visually appealing.
- Prepare Chicken: Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper, then place them evenly spaced in the prepared baking dish.
- Coat Chicken with Sauce: Pour the thickened blackberry balsamic sauce over the chicken breasts, ensuring each piece is completely covered with the flavorful sauce.
- Bake the Chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and the juices run clear, indicating the chicken is fully cooked.
- Rest and Garnish: Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes after baking to redistribute juices. Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs before serving for an aromatic finish.
Notes
- Don’t rush the sauce; it needs the full 10 minutes to properly thicken and develop its glossy texture.
- Frozen blackberries can be used directly without thawing, making this recipe convenient year-round.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked safely and to perfection every time.
- Cooked chicken can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days and reheats well.
- The sauce can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and stored separately for convenience.
- Avoid freezing this dish as the fruit sauce’s texture changes upon thawing.
Keywords: blackberry chicken, balsamic chicken, baked chicken breasts, fruit sauce chicken, easy dinner recipes, gluten free chicken recipes
