Okay, so sometimes I get these *crazy* cravings for something chewy, something that’s packed with good stuff to keep me going, but also… something a little unexpected. Forget those boring, plain old jerky sticks! My latest obsession is this amazing Chicken Blueberry Energy Jerky. Seriously, who knew chicken and blueberries were best friends? From the first time I tried making it, I was hooked. It’s become my go-to for hikes, long drives, or just when I need a serious protein punch that tastes absolutely fantastic.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Blueberry Energy Jerky

Honestly, this jerky is just the BEST! Here’s why I think you’ll be making batches of it all the time:

So Easy to Make: Seriously, it’s mostly hands-off once you prep it.
Unique Flavor Combo: That sweet-tart blueberry with savory chicken? Mind-blowing!
Loaded with Protein: Perfect for keeping your energy up all day long.
Super Portable: Pop it in your bag for work, hikes, or travel – no mess, no fuss.
Way Healthier: You control exactly what goes in, unlike store-bought stuff.
Customizable: Easy to tweak the spices or sweetness if you like!

Gather Your Ingredients for Chicken Blueberry Energy Jerky

Alright, let’s get down to business! To make this incredible Chicken Blueberry Energy Jerky, you really don’t need much, but quality definitely matters. I always try to grab good chicken breast – the leaner, the better for jerky. And the blueberry juice? Make sure it’s 100% juice if you can find it, none of that sugary stuff. So, here’s what you’ll need:

Here’s the rundown:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast (make sure it’s nicely trimmed of any fat)
1/4 cup blueberry juice (the star of our show here!)
1 tablespoon soy sauce (I like using low-sodium to control the saltiness)
1 teaspoon garlic powder (adds that savory punch!)
1/2 teaspoon onion powder (just a hint of sweetness and depth)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground is always best if you have it!)

That’s it! Simple, right? Having all these ready makes the whole process so much smoother.

Essential Equipment for Making Chicken Blueberry Energy Jerky

Okay, so you’ve got your ingredients, which is awesome! Now, let’s talk about the tools you’ll need to get this Chicken Blueberry Energy Jerky goodness made. Don’t worry, you probably already have most of this stuff in your kitchen! It’s really not about fancy gadgets; it’s more about having the right basics to make the process smooth sailing. I always make sure I have these handy:

A really sharp knife – this is super important for slicing the chicken nice and thin.
A sturdy cutting board.
A medium bowl for mixing up that amazing marinade.
Your trusty measuring spoons and cups for getting those flavors just right.
A couple of baking sheets if you’re using the oven method.
Some parchment paper to line those sheets – trust me, it makes cleanup a total breeze!
And finally, you’ll need either your oven (set to a low temp!) or a food dehydrator. Whichever you have will work great!

Having these ready means you can jump right into making your Chicken Blueberry Energy Jerky without any interruptions. Happy jerky-making!

Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Chicken Blueberry Energy Jerky

Alright, let’s get down to the fun part: making this amazing Chicken Blueberry Energy Jerky! It might seem a little daunting at first, but trust me, it’s super straightforward. My biggest tip? Take your time with the slicing – that’s the key to perfect jerky every single time. You want those strips to be thin and pretty uniform so they dry evenly.

Preparing the Chicken and Marinade

First things first, let’s prep that chicken. Pat your chicken breasts nice and dry with paper towels. Then, grab your sharpest knife and carefully slice them thinly, about 1/8 inch thick. It helps if the chicken is slightly frozen; it makes slicing so much easier! Once you’ve got all your thin slices, toss them into your medium bowl. Now for the marinade: just whisk together that beautiful blueberry juice, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. It smells so good already!

Marinating for Maximum Flavor

Pour that delicious marinade over your chicken slices in the bowl. Make sure every single piece gets a nice coating – I like to use my hands for this part, really getting in there to make sure nothing is missed. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or put it in a zip-top bag. Pop it in the fridge for at least 2 hours, but honestly, overnight is where the magic really happens. The longer it marinates, the more flavor seeps into that chicken!

Drying Your Chicken Blueberry Energy Jerky

Now for the drying part! If you’re using an oven, preheat it to a super low temperature, around 170°F (77°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper (total lifesaver for cleanup!) and lay out your marinated chicken slices in a single layer. No overlapping! If you have a dehydrator, just arrange them on the trays. This process takes about 4 to 6 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the jerky is dry and leathery. It should bend without breaking, but you won’t see any moisture. Give it a little check every hour or so towards the end, and rotate those pans if needed for even drying.

Cooling and Storing Your Homemade Jerky

Once your jerky is perfectly dried, take it out of the oven or dehydrator. The hardest part? Waiting for it to cool completely! It needs to come down to room temperature before you even think about storing it. This is super important because if you seal it up while it’s still warm, any residual moisture can create condensation and lead to spoilage. Once it’s totally cool, store it in an airtight container, and it should last for a good couple of weeks if you can resist munching it all!

Tips for Success with Your Chicken Blueberry Energy Jerky

Making this Chicken Blueberry Energy Jerky is so much fun, and honestly, the results are totally worth it! I’ve made it enough times now to have a few little tricks up my sleeve that really make a difference. Here are my top tips to make sure your jerky turns out absolutely perfect every single time.

First off, don’t rush the slicing! I mentioned this before, but it bears repeating – slicing the chicken nice and thin, about 1/8 inch, is key. If your chicken breast is a little firm, almost frozen, it really helps get those even slices. Also, don’t be afraid to really let it marinate. While 2 hours is the minimum, I *always* go for overnight. It lets that yummy blueberry and savory flavor really sink deep into the chicken.

When you’re drying it, keep an eye on it towards the end. Ovens and dehydrators can be a bit different, so checking for that perfect leathery texture is important. You want it to bend, not snap. And hey, if you want to try a little variation, feel free to add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the marinade for a little kick – it’s surprisingly good! For more ideas on homemade snacks like this, check out these delicious recipes or explore more tasty treats!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for This Jerky Recipe

Alright, let’s talk about these ingredients for our Chicken Blueberry Energy Jerky! I love how simple this list is, but sometimes you might need a little tweak here and there. For the soy sauce, I really do recommend going for a low-sodium version if you can. It lets that lovely blueberry flavor shine through without making the jerky too salty, which is important since it’s a snack you’ll be eating a good amount of.

Now, the blueberry juice? It’s honestly what makes this jerky so special and gives it that “energy bar meets jerky” vibe. While you *could* theoretically use just plain water and maybe a touch more sweetener, you’d lose that unique fruity tang. If you can’t find 100% blueberry juice, try to find the one with the least amount of added sugar. And for spice? My recipe has a gentle kick from pepper, but if you’re feeling brave, adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the marinade is a game-changer for heat lovers!

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Blueberry Energy Jerky

Got questions about making this yummy Chicken Blueberry Energy Jerky? I totally get it! It’s always good to have a few things cleared up before you dive in. I’ve tried to cover the most common ones here, drawing from my own experiences and a few mishaps along the way!

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?

You absolutely can! Chicken thighs are delicious and a bit more forgiving since they have more fat. Just make sure to trim off any large pieces of fat before slicing and marinating. Keep in mind they might take a little longer to dry out because of the higher fat content, so just keep an eye on them during the drying process.

How long does homemade jerky usually last?

If you dry your Chicken Blueberry Energy Jerky really well and store it properly in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, it can last for about 2 to 3 weeks. Some people even freeze it for longer storage! The key is making sure it’s super dry to prevent any mold or spoilage. It’s always best to check for freshness before you take a big bite, just in case!

What if my jerky is too dry or too chewy?

Oops! If your jerky is too dry and brittle, you might have over-dehydrated it. It happens! You can try rehydrating it very slightly by putting it in a sealed container with a damp paper towel for a few hours. If it’s too chewy, it probably needs a bit more drying time. Just pop it back in the dehydrator or oven for another hour or so and check again. Getting that perfect leathery texture is all about practice!

Can I make this jerky without a dehydrator?

Yes, absolutely! My recipe uses the oven method a lot, and it works like a charm. All you need is your oven set to a really low temperature (around 170°F or 77°C) and patience. Just make sure you prop your oven door open slightly, just a crack, to let moisture escape. It works just as well as a dehydrator for creating that perfect jerky!

If you have any other questions or want to troubleshoot, feel free to reach out!

Estimated Nutritional Information

Just a heads-up, the nutritional info for homemade jerky can bounce around a bit depending on exactly how you make it and the brands you use, but here’s a ballpark for you. This is for about a 1-ounce serving of our Chicken Blueberry Energy Jerky, and it gives you a great idea of the goodness packed in:

Calories: Around 80
Fat: About 1g
Protein: A hefty 15g!
Carbohydrates: Roughly 4g
Sodium: Around 200mg

See? Packed with protein and surprisingly low in fat. Perfect for fueling your adventures!

Share Your Chicken Blueberry Energy Jerky Creations!

Alright, my fellow jerky enthusiasts! I really hope you give this Chicken Blueberry Energy Jerky a try. When you do, please, please, PLEASE come back and let me know how it turned out! Did you try adding a little extra spice? How long did you let yours marinate? I’d absolutely love to see your creations, so feel free to share photos or your thoughts in the comments below. You can also learn more about my kitchen adventures over on my About page!

Chicken Blueberry Energy Jerky

Author: dogtf.com
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Yield: Approximately 1/2 pound 1x
Diet: Low Fat

Print Recipe

Description

A simple recipe for homemade chicken and blueberry jerky, offering a protein-rich snack.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
1/4 cup blueberry juice
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Slice chicken breast thinly, about 1/8 inch thick.
In a bowl, combine blueberry juice, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
Add chicken slices to the marinade and toss to coat.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight.
Preheat your oven to 170°F (77°C) or prepare your dehydrator.
Arrange chicken slices in a single layer on baking sheets lined with parchment paper or on dehydrator trays.
Bake or dehydrate for 4-6 hours, or until the jerky is dry and leathery.
Let the jerky cool completely before storing.

Notes

For a spicier jerky, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the marinade.
Ensure chicken is fully dried to prevent spoilage.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4-6 hours
Category: Snack
Method: Dehydrating
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 ounce
Calories: 80
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 200mg
Fat: 1g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 1g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 4g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 15g
Cholesterol: 40mg

Keywords: chicken jerky, blueberry jerky, homemade jerky, energy snack, protein snack, dried chicken, fruit jerky