Deliciously Sweet And Festive Chicken Thighs With Cranberry Sauce

Say hello to tender chicken thighs with cranberry sauce – your new weeknight dinner obsession! Every bite of this moist chicken smothered in tangy cranberry sauce brings just the right balance of sweet and tart. Forget about flavorless, boring dishes – these cranberry chicken thighs are guaranteed to make your next meal extra fancy!   

Chicken is definitely one of the most versatile proteins. There’s just so much you can do with it! From casseroles and soups to lettuce wraps and stuffed crescent rolls, the possibilities are endless, making it an accessible ingredient for any meal. 

Today, I’m going to share with you one of the more exciting ways to prep chicken — pairing it with tart and zesty cranberry sauce. The combination might surprise you, but trust me, it works! Juicy chicken thighs with cranberry sauce blend comfort food and sophistication, resulting in a dish blowing everyone away at the dinner table. 

So next time you’re in a pickle about what to serve – even during special occasions like Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner – give this cranberry chicken recipe a try. It’s sure to become a family favorite!   

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ingredients Needed For Cranberry Chicken Thighs

Marinade Ingredients

• ⅓ cup fresh cranberries
• 2 tbsp avocado oil (or extra virgin olive oil)
• 2 tbsp coconut aminos (or soy sauce)
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp fresh rosemary
• ¼ cup chicken or vegetable broth

Chicken Thigh Ingredients

• 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 tbsp avocado oil (or olive oil)
• ⅔ cup fresh cranberries
• 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 1 tbsp maple syrup

Step-by-Step Instructions With Pictures

1. Using a standard blender, blend all the marinade ingredients (fresh cranberries, avocado oil, soy sauce, maple syrup, garlic, fresh rosemary, and broth) until smooth, about 1 minute. 

2. Place the chicken thighs in a single layer in a baking dish.

3. Spoon the marinade over chicken thighs, taking care to coat each completely.

4. Cover the baking dish tightly with the cover or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 48 hours.

5. Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes.  

6. Preheat the oven to 375° F.

7. Using a spoon or rubber spatula, scrape the marinade off the tops of the chicken thighs. Be careful not to tear any skin.

8. Brush the tops of the chicken thighs with olive oil. Arrange the cranberries and rosemary sprigs around the chicken.

9. Bake the chicken for 20 minutes. Afterward, using a meat thermometer, check the internal temperature of the meat until it reaches 165° F.  Once the chicken thighs reach this temperature, remove them from the oven.

10. Preheat the broiler to high. 

11. Remove the rosemary sprigs from the baking dish.

12. Brush the tops of chicken thighs with maple syrup.

13. Place the chicken in the broiler for 3-5 minutes or until the skin is nicely browned. Watch closely, checking every minute to ensure the chicken does not burn.

14. Remove the chicken from the oven and spoon the marinade from the dish all over it. Let it rest for about 5 minutes. 

15. Serve and enjoy!

Tips For The Best Cranberry Sauce Chicken Thighs Recipe

• Use Bone-In, Skin-On Chicken Thighs: This part of the chicken stays juicier and more flavorful, and the skin adds a delightful texture to the dish.
• Adjust The Taste: Sample the cranberry marinade as you cook and make adjustments depending on your personal preferences. 
• Don’t Let The Meat Overcook: This might result in dry, rubbery chicken that’s difficult to chew. 
• Let Them Rest: Letting the chicken rest for a few minutes after it has cooked will help the juices redistribute, making the dish even more flavorful.  
• Remove Any Excess Fat: If you don’t like your dish to turn too greasy, trim off any excess fat from the chicken thighs before using them. 

Baked Chicken Thighs With Cranberry Sauce Serving Ideas 

Want to stun your guests even more? Try these presentation suggestions: 

• Red and Green: Serve the chicken with fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs to make a pretty Christmas plate.   
• A Tried-and-True Combination: Serve a chicken thigh over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, with sauce drizzled over the top.
• Grain Things Up: Pair the chicken with rice or various grain bowls.
• Load It With Veggies: Add roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts, carrots, green beans, or asparagus to the chicken dish. Alternatively, serve it with a bowl of salad on the side!      
• Paired With Bread: Serve the chicken thigh over a piece of toasted bread, then add more cranberry mixture at the top. 

Vary Things Up

Looking to make these chicken thighs with cranberry sauce uniquely your own? Try these ideas to shake things up:

• Make It Citrusy: Add some orange juice and/or orange zest to the marinade to make the sauce zesty. 
• Spice It Up: Depending on how spicy you want the chicken thighs, add cayenne pepper, jalapenos, or red chili flakes to the sauce.
• Sweet Like Candy: If you want the chicken to be sweeter, add maple syrup or honey to the marinade. Kids will love it!
• Herbed Chicken Thighs: Deepen the herb flavor of the marinade by adding sage or thyme.     
• Use Other Proteins: This recipe can be also used for boneless skinless chicken breasts, thighs, or pork chops, though you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. 

Storage And Reheating

Store: Allow the dish to cool completely, then keep any leftovers in an airtight container before storing them in the fridge. You can also store the chicken thighs separately from the cranberry sauce if preferred. They’ll be good to eat for up to 5 days. 

Freeze: You can also freeze the chicken thighs for up to 3 months by storing them in a freezer-safe container. 

Reheat: You can reheat the dish in the oven, on the stove, or in the microwave. If you want the chicken skin side to regain crispiness, reheat them in the oven or stovetop. 

One Last Thing

Make dinner extra special by serving these delicious chicken thighs with cranberry sauce! A tasty mix of sweet and savory flavors, they’re bound to leave a lasting impression on everyone lucky enough to taste them. 

This recipe pairs well with cauliflower rice or smashed potatoes and can be served in various ways. You can even tweak it to make it better!

Your Turn

If you make these chicken thighs with cranberry sauce, please take a moment to let me know how you liked them by leaving a rating and a comment below on the recipe card.

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