For a unique finale to the summer and a recipe that can easily head indoors when it’s too cold for grilling, enjoy this blueberry barbecue sauce atop chicken or tofu (for vegetarian and vegan guests).
Although fresh is best, the blueberry barbecue sauce can be made with frozen (defrosted) blueberries when berry season sadly comes to an end.
Special Diet Notes & Options: Grilled Chicken with Blueberry Barbecue Sauce
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, peanut-free, optionally soy-free (choose your oil wisely), and generally top food allergy-friendly.
This recipe for chicken with blueberry barbecue sauce was shared with us by Fresh from Florida Kids. Their website isn’t purely dairy-free, but they offer some great recipes for inspiration on cooking with kids.
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil or other neutral oil
- ¼ cup minced onion
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup vinegar
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 cups fresh Florida blueberries
- Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
- 4 (6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and fresh ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- Heat the oil in non-reactive saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and saute until almost translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the ketchup, vinegar, sugar, and mustard. Bring the ingredients to a simmer. Add the blueberries. Continue to simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally until thickened, about 10 minutes.
- Puree the sauce in a blender or food processor until smooth. Optionally pass through a fine mesh sieve if a smoother consistency is desired.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Trim the chicken breasts of excess fat. Lightly season both sides with salt and pepper and coat with the oil.
- Place the chicken on the preheated grill and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- When done, remove from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with the Blueberry Barbecue Sauce.
Chef's Tip: Always add the sauce last. The sugars in blueberry barbecue sauce can burn and become bitter if added to food while still on the grill.
