Cranberry Orange Chicken (Easy Baked Thighs Recipe)

Chicken with cranberry sauce and brussels sprouts on a plate.

5 from 8 votes

Cranberry Orange Chicken (Easy Baked Thighs Recipe)

Juicy baked chicken thighs coated in a tangy cranberry orange sauce with rosemary. A festive, flavorful dinner that’s perfect for fall weeknights or as a holiday turkey alternative.

Prep Time10

Cook Time1 10

Total Time1 20

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Servings: Servings

Calories: 350.52kcal

Author: Sarah Hill

Equipment

Ingredients

1 cup uncooked white rice
2 cups water
4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 garlic cloves minced
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
1 large orange juiced and zested
3 tablespoons honey
½ teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 sprig fresh rosemary

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cook the rice according to package directions and set aside.
1 cup uncooked white rice, 2 cups water
Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper and garlic cloves.
4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 2 garlic cloves
Begin making the cranberry sauce by adding cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, honey, cinnamon, balsamic vinegar and rosemary to a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally until the cranberries burst and thicken, about 10 minutes.
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, 1 large orange, 3 tablespoons honey, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 sprig fresh rosemary
Once thickened, turn off the heat and smash the cranberries with a fork or potato masher.
Add the cooked rice to a casserole dish and top with the chicken thighs. Spread the cranberry sauce over the chicken thighs.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Transfer chicken to plates along with the rice and serve. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Don't overcook the cranberry sauce! Cook just until the cranberries begin to burst, then remove from heat. If the cranberry sauce stays on the heat for too long, it can begin to burn and over-thicken.
Do not attempt to cook the rice directly in the casserole dish. White rice needs about an hour to cook through evenly in the oven and won't work with the cook time for the cranberry chicken.

Nutrition