Description
Cranberry Glazed Chicken offers a perfect balance of tangy and rich flavors that dance across your palate. Succulent chicken meets zesty cranberry sauce, creating a memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 8 chicken thighs or drumsticks (seasoned with salt, pepper, and paprika)
Sauce and Glaze Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup sweet barbecue sauce (like honey garlic)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup cranberry juice
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 heaping tablespoon dark brown sugar
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard (maple-flavored preferred, but any kind works)
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- Fresh thyme sprigs
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Craft a luxurious cranberry glaze by combining ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat, whisking until sugar dissolves and mixture thickens into a glossy consistency. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Preheat oven to 375°F, ensuring precise temperature for optimal cooking results.
- Select a robust, oven-safe skillet and warm olive oil over medium-high heat. Carefully place chicken pieces, allowing each side to develop a golden-brown crust without cooking completely through. Drain excess fat to prevent sogginess.
- Generously drape the prepared cranberry glaze over seared chicken, scattering fresh cranberries and delicate thyme sprigs across the surface for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Transfer skillet directly into preheated oven, roasting for 35-40 minutes until chicken reaches perfect internal temperature and glaze caramelizes beautifully.
- Once cooked, remove from oven and let chicken rest for 3-5 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute and glaze to set.
- Plate the glazed chicken, garnishing with additional fresh thyme and a sprinkle of cranberries for visual appeal and vibrant flavor.
Notes
- Choose chicken breasts or thighs with consistent thickness to ensure even cooking throughout the dish.
- Pat chicken dry before searing to achieve a perfect golden-brown exterior and develop deeper flavor caramelization.
- Lower the heat if the glaze starts to burn quickly, as cranberry sugars can caramelize rapidly and create bitter undertones.
- Customize the glaze’s sweetness by adjusting honey or maple syrup quantities to suit different taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 195 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg