Description
This Sweet & Tangy Cranberry Orange Roasted Chicken brings together the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. Marinated in a zesty cranberry-orange mixture and roasted to perfection, it’s a delicious dish that’s perfect for both everyday meals and festive occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken and Marinade:
- 4–5 chicken thighs or breasts, skin-on
- ½ cup fresh cranberries
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Marinade:
- ¼ cup fresh cranberries
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large orange, zested and juiced
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade:
In a food processor, combine the marinade ingredients: cranberries, brown sugar, olive oil, honey, balsamic vinegar, garlic, orange zest, orange juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth. - Marinate the Chicken:
Place the chicken pieces in a large zip-top bag, container, or deep dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure each piece is coated well. Seal or cover and marinate for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator, ideally overnight for maximum flavor. - Bake the Chicken:
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease an 8×8-inch roasting pan and arrange the marinated chicken in a single layer. Pour any remaining marinade over the chicken and sprinkle the additional ½ cup of fresh cranberries around the chicken. - Finish and Crisp the Chicken:
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C). In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon honey with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Brush this mixture over the chicken skin, then broil for an additional 2-3 minutes to get a crispy, golden finish. Watch closely to prevent burning. - Garnish and Serve:
Remove the chicken from the oven and garnish with extra orange zest and fresh cranberries. Serve with the roasted cranberries for a burst of sweet-tart flavor.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken overnight for maximum flavor infusion.
- The chicken can be made with either thighs or breasts; however, thighs tend to stay juicier.
- If you prefer a stronger balsamic flavor, you can add an extra teaspoon of balsamic vinegar to the marinade.
- Be careful while broiling the chicken; it can burn quickly if not monitored.
- You can use frozen cranberries if fresh ones are not available.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Roasting, Marinating
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (approx. 1 chicken thigh or breast)
- Calories: 350-400
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg