Red, White, and Blueberry Grilled Chicken

Chef John's spicy chili-rubbed chicken breasts are grilled and topped with a tangy blueberry sauce. It's a perfect dish for a summer barbeque.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 279 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 cups fresh blueberries
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground dried chipotle pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 0.33333334326744 cup white sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 0.33333334326744 cup apple cider vinegar

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Whisk oil, salt, paprika, chipotle pepper, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and garlic in a bowl to make marinade. Place chicken breasts in marinade and turn to coat evenly. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Step 2

Spread sugar in a saucepan set over medium heat. Do not stir, but watch closely as sugar begins to melt after about 1 minute. As sugar melts it will gradually turn a golden color. Continue watching but not stirring. When all sugar has melted and golden color just begins to darken a bit (after 1 minute or less), remove pan from heat. Pour in vinegar and stir until sugar dissolves.

Step 3

Place pan over medium-high heat and add blueberries to the sugar-vinegar mixture. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until blueberries soften and mixture begins to thicken, 4 or 5 minutes. It should be a syrup-like consistency. If sauce seems too thin, simmer a few more minutes. If it seems too thick, add a splash of water. Stir in salt and pepper. Remove from heat.

Step 4

Set a strainer over a bowl. Strain berries, using a spatula to push through as much juice as possible. Discard skins.

Step 5

Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate. Drain excess marinade from chicken.

Step 6

Place chicken breasts on preheated grill. Cook until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 4 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Transfer chicken to a plate and allow to rest a few minutes.

Step 7

Serve breasts on a swirl of blueberry sauce with more sauce drizzled on top.