Jamie Oliver’s Blueberry Chicken Isn’t As Strange As You Think

Jamie Oliver’s new Channel 4 series, Jamie: Eat Yourself Healthy, has just premiered, promising plenty of nutritious, flavour-packed recipes, and in the first episode, he raised a few eyebrows with one of his dishes.

The recipe that got everyone talking was a spiced chicken and blueberry grain bowl. Jamie told viewers, “I’m telling you, it works, I’ve been doing it for years, and it is a beautiful thing.” 

Among the sceptics for the blueberry and chicken combination was Mimi Morley, Senior Recipe Development Manager at food box delivery service, HelloFresh, she comments:

“As someone who develops recipes every day, I have seen plenty of bold flavour pairings, but I will admit this one made me think twice,” says Mimi. 

“Blueberries have such a distinctive flavour and are usually reserved for sweet dishes like muffins or yoghurt bowls. At first, I could not picture how they would work in a warm, savoury context, especially with chicken.”

Despite her hesitation, Mimi decided to try the dish herself.

“I went in with an open mind, and I was genuinely surprised,” she says. “The blueberries did not overpower the chicken at all. When cooked, they take on this subtle balance of sweet and tangy, and add some natural moisture to the dish. It reminded me of the way cranberry sauce complements turkey or how apple is often used with pork.”

Fruit and savoury dishes have been paired for centuries, classic examples include pork with apple, turkey with cranberry, or duck with orange. So it makes sense that a tart, less sweet fruit like blueberries can also complement savoury dishes. 

“I will admit I was wrong to doubt it,” Mimi laughs. “It is proof that sometimes the most surprising combinations can work really well. I will definitely be making it again and think it is a simple way to add variety to your meals.”

Across Nordic cuisine, berries like blueberries and lingonberries are used in ways that feel completely natural to the region. You will often see them alongside game meats such as venison, or stirred into rich sauces with earthy herbs like thyme and dill. 

With that in mind, HelloFresh has shared a few ways to add blueberries into the savoury dishes:

Blueberry and Goat’s Cheese Flatbread

For a simple yet impressive starter, scatter blueberries over a warm flatbread with goat’s cheese, caramelised onions, and a drizzle of honey. The combination of creamy, tangy, and earthy flavours makes this dish ideal for sharing.

Grain and Veggie Salad with Blueberries

Blueberries work beautifully in hearty grain salads with ingredients like pearl barley, roasted root vegetables, and crumbled feta. Tossing them in at the end adds bursts of freshness and colour.

Nordic Blueberry Sauce for Venison or Fish

In Nordic cuisine, blueberries are often used to make sauces for richer proteins. Simmer them gently with a splash of red wine or stock, a little vinegar, and herbs like thyme or dill. This creates a tangy, slightly sweet sauce that pairs perfectly with venison, salmon, or other firm fish.

Roasted Blueberries with Root Vegetables

Toss blueberries with root vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, and beetroot before roasting. The juices caramelise in the oven, creating a natural glaze that elevates the dish without added sugar.