Description
Experience the perfect balance of sweet and savory with this Ultimate Honey Cranberry Chicken Bake. Tender chicken is coated in a vibrant glaze of honey and cranberries, making it an unforgettable dish for any occasion.
Ingredients
- bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts (optional)
- honey
- fresh or frozen cranberries
- orange juice
- fresh garlic cloves, minced
- fresh rosemary
- fresh thyme
- olive oil
- Dijon mustard
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
- Pat your chicken thighs thoroughly dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Arrange the chicken in your prepared baking dish, skin-side up.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, orange juice, minced garlic, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of red pepper flakes (if using). Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Scatter the fresh or frozen cranberries evenly around the chicken in the baking dish. Pour the honey-cranberry sauce over the chicken, making sure to coat it well.
- Transfer the baking dish to your preheated oven and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). For extra crispy skin, you can carefully broil for the last 2-3 minutes.
- Once done, remove the dish from the oven and let the chicken rest in the baking dish for about 5-10 minutes before serving. Spoon some of the delicious pan sauce and cranberries over each piece of chicken.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 thigh with sauce
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: Patting the chicken dry is crucial for achieving crispy skin. Adjust the sweetness of the sauce by modifying the amount of honey to your taste. If the sauce is too thin, thicken it with a cornstarch slurry after baking.