Red, White, and Blueberry Grilled Chicken Recipe

This vibrant grilled chicken recipe with a tangy blueberry sauce will elevate your dinner table with its balance of smoky, spicy, and sweet flavors. It's easy to prepare and perfect for a summer barbecue or a quick dinner with a gourmet touch.

Ingredients

Marinade:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground dried chipotle pepper
• teaspoon cayenne pepper
• teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Blueberry Sauce:

• cup white sugar
• cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 cups fresh blueberries
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Step 1: In a glass or ceramic bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, kosher salt, paprika, chipotle pepper, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and minced garlic.

Step 2: Add the chicken breasts to the marinade, tossing them to evenly coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 3: While the chicken is marinating, prepare the blueberry sauce. In a saucepan set over medium heat, add the sugar. Cook without stirring for about 1 minute until the sugar begins to melt.

Step 4: Continue cooking the sugar until it melts completely, gradually turns golden, and starts to darken slightly, about 1 minute or less. Remove the pan from the heat.

Step 5: Add the apple cider vinegar to the sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves. Return the pan to medium-high heat and add the fresh blueberries.

Step 6: Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Let the blueberries soften and the sauce thicken to a syrup-like consistency, which will take about 4 to 5 minutes. If the sauce is too thin, simmer for a few more minutes. If its too thick, add a splash of water.

Step 7: Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove from heat, then strain the sauce through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl, pressing with a spatula to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the blueberry skins.

Step 8: Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate. Remove the chicken from the marinade and shake off any excess liquid. Discard the remaining marinade.

Step 9: Place the chicken breasts on the grill and cook for about 4 minutes per side, or until they are no longer pink in the center and juices run clear. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the chicken should read at least 165F (74C).

Step 10: Transfer the grilled chicken to a plate and let it rest for 1 to 3 minutes before serving.

Step 11: Serve the chicken on a bed of blueberry sauce, drizzling additional sauce over the top for a burst of flavor. Enjoy your delicious grilled chicken with blueberry sauce!

Cook's Notes

• If you prepare the sauce in advance, it will thicken as it cools. You may need to thin it out with a little water when reheating.
• When tasting for seasoning, keep in mind that the chicken is already well-seasoned. Adjust the sauce accordingly.
• For perfectly cooked chicken, use a meat thermometer to ensure an internal temperature of 165F (74C). This will result in juicy and tender chicken.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: 279
• Fat: 7g (9% Daily Value)
• Saturated Fat: 1g (7% Daily Value)
• Cholesterol: 67mg (22% Daily Value)
• Sodium: 1540mg (67% Daily Value)
• Total Carbohydrates: 29g (11% Daily Value)
• Dietary Fiber: 3g (9% Daily Value)
• Total Sugars: 24g
• Protein: 25g (51% Daily Value)
• Vitamin C: 9mg (10% Daily Value)
• Calcium: 25mg (2% Daily Value)
• Iron: 2mg (9% Daily Value)
• Potassium: 327mg (7% Daily Value)