This Baked Cranberry Chicken with Rosemary is an easy, sweet, and savory dish your family will love. The chicken is marinated and then baked to perfection, resulting in a juicy, flavorful meal that's perfect for the holiday season.
Jump to:
Why This Recipe Stands Out
We love a good one-pan meal, and this recipe for Baked Cranberry Chicken with Rosemary is one of our favorites. Here's why we think you'll love it too:
- Easy to Prepare: This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients, making it a great choice for a weeknight dinner.
- Flavor Combination: The combination of the tart cranberries with the savory chicken and rosemary is out of this world.
- Healthy: Chicken is a great source of lean protein, and cranberries are packed with antioxidants.
- Festive: This dish is a great option for holiday gatherings and family dinners. It's hearty and satisfying, just like our Christmas Fruit Cake Recipe.
Key Ingredients
- Chicken Thighs – We use chicken thighs as they are more flavorful and less likely to dry out compared to chicken breasts.
- Fresh Cranberries – Fresh cranberries add a tartness that balances the dish beautifully. Don’t use dried cranberries as they are much sweeter.
- Rosemary – Fresh rosemary adds a pine-like, fragrant flavor that pairs wonderfully with the cranberries.
- Garlic – Garlic adds a deep, savory flavor that compliments the tartness of the cranberries.
- Orange Zest and Peel – The zest and peel of an orange or mandarins adds a citrusy, aromatic flavor that brightens up the dish.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are some of our favorite variations and substitutions to make this recipe your own:
- Meat: This recipe calls for 6-8 chicken thighs or a mix of thighs and drumsticks, but feel free to use any cut of chicken you prefer. You can also try using skin-on and bone-in chicken for an even juicier result.
- Citrus: We love the combination of cranberries and orange in this dish, but you could also try using other citrus fruits like mandarins, clementines, or even a splash of lemon juice for a tangy twist.
- Herbs: If rosemary isn't your favorite herb, you can substitute it with thyme or sage.
How to Make Baked Chicken With Cranberries and Rosemary
Step 1: Make marinade by combining cranberries, rosemary, garlic, orange zest, orange, sugar, oil, soy sauce, and seasonings in a food processor. Puree the mixture.
Step 2: Coat the chicken with the marinade and let it sit in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
Step 3: Arrange the marinated chicken in a baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cranberries. Bake at 375 F for 45-50 minutes.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
What to Serve with Baked Cranberry Chicken
Potatoes
- Potatoes are a classic side for baked chicken. Mashed potatoes or creamy scalloped potatoes are a great choice. The rich, savory flavors in this chicken dish pair wonderfully with the mild, creamy flavor of potatoes.
- For a lighter option, try a simple baked potato or roasted potato wedges.
Rice and Grains
- The cranberry and rosemary flavors in this dish work well with a variety of grains. Try serving it with rice, quinoa, or couscous.
- These grains can be cooked while the chicken is in the oven, making them a convenient choice for a weeknight dinner.
Salads
- A fresh, crisp salad can be a great contrast to the warm, hearty flavors of baked chicken. A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette is a good choice.
- For a heartier option, consider a grain-based salad with ingredients like quinoa, farro, or barley. These salads can be made in advance and served cold or at room temperature, making them a convenient choice for a dinner party.
Vegetables
- Roasted vegetables are a great side for this dish. Try carrots, asparagus, green beans, or Brussels sprouts. The vegetables can be cooked at the same time as the chicken, making it easy to get a complete meal on the table.
Frequently Asked Questions
For this baked cranberry chicken with rosemary, you can use 6-8 chicken thighs or a mix of thighs and drumsticks. You can use bone-in or boneless, skin-on or skinless, based on your preference. Just remember, bone-in pieces may require a slightly longer cooking time.
While fresh cranberries are preferred for this recipe, you can use frozen cranberries if fresh ones are not available. Just make sure to thaw them before using and pat them dry to remove excess moisture.
The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 185 F and the skin is nice and golden brown. Using a meat thermometer is the most accurate way to check for doneness.
This dish can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure to store it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness and flavor.
Recipe
Recipe
Baked Cranberry Chicken With Rosemary
Ingredients
- 6-8 chicken thighs or thighs and drumsticks
- 1 ½ c cranberries fresh
- 1 tablespoon rosemary leaves
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 orange medium-sized, or 2 small mandarins, zested and peeled
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Make a marinade: In a food processor, combine ¾ cup cranberries, rosemary, garlic, orange zest, orange, sugar, avocado oil, soy sauce, salt, and black pepper. Process until pureed. Give it a taste to check if the marinade needs more salt.
- Marinate the chicken: Add chicken to a large bowl and coat it with a marinade. Put it in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 375 F. Arrange chicken pieces in a large baking dish with the marinade. Sprinkle with the remaining cranberries. Bake for 45-50 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 185 F and the chicken is nice and golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve immediately over mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta.
Notes
- Preheat the oven before you start marinating the chicken. This will give the oven enough time to reach the right temperature and ensure even cooking.
- When marinating the chicken, make sure to coat it thoroughly with the marinade and then let it sit in the fridge for at least 1 hour. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat and makes it more tender.
- To achieve a crispy chicken skin, brush the chicken with the oily part of the marinade a few times throughout baking.
- Serve the chicken immediately after it's done. This dish goes great with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta.
Nutrition
More Recipes You'll Enjoy
- Mustard Chicken - There's a reason why this Mustard Chicken Recipe has been my reader's favorite for years. Creamy, flavorful, and that mustard sauce is super addictive!
- Hungarian Chicken Paprikash - This Chicken Paprikash recipe is a delicious one-pan weeknight dinner meal that features perfectly browned chicken that's braised in a creamy, sour cream based paprika sauce.
- Oven Baked Chicken Thighs - This oven baked chicken thighs recipe is a go-to one-pot recipe for busy weeknights that has a prep time of 5 minutes.
- Chicken Contadina - Fall-off-the-bone chicken is smothered in a rich vegetable-infused sauce. This One Pot contadina, or country-style chicken, is an easy Italian recipe for a hearty weeknight meal.
Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.
Petro says
easy cookd