Cranberry Roasted Chicken

This Cranberry Roasted Chicken recipe is easy to make plus it’s a one pan dinner that is oh so deliciously festive and seasonal.

This cranberry chicken is incredibly addictive.

The savoury flavours and fats from the chicken combine with the sweet and tart flavour of the cranberries to create something that is simply out of this world. 

I love to pile on the cranberries to eat with my chicken, this is way beyond your typical cranberry sauce and dry turkey. This dish is moist and flavourful and oh so good.

This recipe for cranberry roasted chicken is perfect for your Christmas dinner party. The tangy, sweet and savoury flavors of the sauce create a festive atmosphere that will be sure to please all of your guests!

Why You Will Love this Cranberry Chicken Recipe

• Bursting with flavours. It’s sweet, savoury and tart.
• Festive dinner but easy to make.
• All made in just one pan. Less dishes!

How Do you Know When Bone-In Chicken is Cooked Through

It can be hard to tell if chicken is done when you are pan frying. This is where a meat thermometer really comes in handy.

Check after 20 minutes or so, using a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken to check its temperature. Cooked chicken will have an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

Can You Use Boneless Chicken?

You can use any fun of chicken for this recipe, although bone-in, skin-on chicken will do best for the stovetop method. Skinless chicken won’t give the same flavour. We are really relying on the chicken fat to help flavour the dish and without any to render with the cranberries, the cranberry sauce just won’t be as good.

If you do choose to use another cut of chicken, please be mindful that you will need to adjust the cook time and still use a meat thermometer to know when it is cooked through.

How to Prepare Fresh Cranberries for Baking

First, when selecting fresh cranberries at the grocery store, look for cranberries that are brightly coloured, have a slightly glossy look, and are plump and firm with no soft spots or mould.

Also, cranberries should be refrigerated in an airtight container until ready to use. Cranberries will stay fresh in the refrigerator for about two weeks after they are purchased if kept sealed in airtight containers.

To prepare cranberries for cranberry roasted chicken, cranberries must first be rinsed and dried.

Place cranberries in a colander and rinse cranberries under cool water about 20 seconds and pick out any stems. Drain cranberries and transfer to a clean kitchen towel and gently dry them off before proceeding.

How to Store Cranberry Roasted Chicken Recipe

Cranberry roasted chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about three to four days.

How to Reheat Cranberry Roasted Chicken

To reheat cranberry roasted chicken, simply preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Remove cranberry roasted chicken from plastic container and transfer to a baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for about 25 minutes or until cranberry roasted chicken is warmed through.

How to Bake Cranberry Roasted Chicken in the Oven

I like to pan roast the chicken in this recipe on the stovetop in my cast iron pan. However, it can be prepared in a 375 degree oven in a casserole dish or oven-safe skillet.

Step 1 – Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Step 2 – Bake the chicken skin side down cranberries in the pan for 20-25 mins.

Step 3 – Flip the chicken and brush with remaining marinade.

Step 4 – Increase heat to 450 degrees F and cook for a further 5-7 minutes.

This is a great dish to serve over the holidays, especially with what is going on in the world right now. Roasted chicken for the holidays is a great option for families rather than getting the typical big turkey and this recipe is festive for the holidays.

About the Cranberry Roasted Chicken Recipe Ingredients:

Detailed measurements, ingredient list, and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page. Instructions with photos can be found directly below.

Lemon Juice – Adds some brightness to the dish. Balsamic vinegar is also pretty yummy here.

Olive oil – Be sure to use extra virgin olive oil.

Soya Sauce – Helps bring out the umami of the chicken.

Maple syrup – Helps to counter some of the tartness of the cranberry.

Cranberries – Fresh cranberries are best. You can use frozen cranberries if needed, just thaw and drain them first.

Chicken – Skin-on chicken, preferably bone-in thighs works best here, although drumsticks would work in a pinch.

Rosemary – Fresh rosemary is best but you can use half the specified amount if using dried rosemary.

Looking for more holiday dinner recipes?

Check out some of my favourite holiday dinner ideas:

This Citrus & Rosemary Roasted Turkey Breast combines the fresh flavours of citrus fruit with the aroma of fresh herbs for a delicious turkey that easily feeds a small crowd.

This recipe for Apple & Sage Stuffing is moist, fragrant, and absolutely delicious. It’s a perfect Thanksgiving side dish.

Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Pomegranate makes for a tasty holiday side dish that works just as easily for a weeknight side.

How to Make Cranberry Roasted Chicken

Serves 4 | Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

2 cloves garlic
2 tbsp lemon juice
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
2 tbsp soya sauce
2 tbsp Maple syrup
2 cups cranberries, divided
8 pieces chicken thighs, bone-in, skin on.
1 Tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped

Directions:

Place the garlic, lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, soya sauce, maple syrup and 1/2 cup of the cranberries in a blender and blend until smooth.

Place the chicken and the cranberry marinade together in a bowl or plastic bag, ensuring the chicken is completely covered. Refrigerate for 20-30 min.

Heat a skillet on the stove over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp oil then remove chicken from the marinade into the skillet, skin side down.  Discard the marinade.

Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and rosemary.

Without moving them, cook the chicken uncovered for about 20-25 minutes until the fat from the chicken has rendered and the skin is golden brown and crisp. Reduce the heat as needed if the skin starts to burn before it is evenly golden brown.

Turn the thighs over and sprinkle the remaining cranberries around the pan. Continue to cook for about 20 more minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the cranberries just begin to burst.

Serve and enjoy.