Description
This bright and flavorful cranberry orange chicken is a cozy, seasonal dinner that brings together sweet-tart cranberries, fresh citrus, and tender baked chicken. It’s festive enough for the holidays but simple enough for weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5–2 lb)
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup orange juice (fresh if possible)
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a large baking dish.
- Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and thyme. Place the chicken in the baking dish.
- In a bowl, whisk together the orange juice, orange zest, honey, garlic, and olive oil. Pour the mixture over the chicken.
- Scatter the fresh cranberries around the chicken. Some will burst during baking and help thicken the sauce.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then spoon some of the hot cranberry-orange sauce over the chicken (this is the burst-and-baste trick). Continue baking uncovered for another 13–17 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F.
Notes
For the best flavor, baste the chicken once the cranberries begin to burst — it thickens the sauce naturally and gives the chicken a glossy finish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 370mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: cranberry orange chicken, holiday chicken recipe, baked chicken, citrus glaze, fall dinner