Description
A vibrant and flavorful Cranberry Chicken Thighs recipe featuring juicy bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs baked with fresh cranberries, brown sugar, and aromatic herbs for a perfect balance of sweet and savory. This dish is oven-roasted to crispy perfection and ideal for a comforting family dinner.
Ingredients
For the Cranberry Sauce
- 1 cup cranberries (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
For the Chicken
- 6 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 cloves garlic (minced)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 yellow onion (sliced)
- 1 lemon (sliced)
- 3-4 rosemary sprigs
- ½ cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F and prepare a baking dish for roasting the chicken.
- Prepare Cranberry Mixture: In a bowl, combine the cranberries, white wine vinegar, and brown sugar. Stir well until the cranberries are coated with the vinegar and sugar for a tangy-sweet glaze.
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure crisp skin. In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, pepper, salt, minced garlic, and olive oil to create a spice rub. Rub this mixture evenly over each chicken thigh. Arrange the chicken thighs in the baking dish, then scatter the sliced onion over and around them.
- Add Lemon and Cranberries: Distribute lemon slices across the chicken and sprinkle the cranberry mixture, including some of the juice, on top. Break the rosemary sprigs in half and scatter all over the dish to infuse the chicken with aromatic herbs.
- Add Broth and Bake: Pour the chicken broth evenly over everything in the baking dish. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is nicely roasted and crispy.
- Check Doneness and Serve: Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken thighs. They should reach 165 degrees F to ensure safety. Once done, serve the cranberry chicken thighs hot alongside mashed potatoes, rice, or stuffing for a hearty meal.
Notes
- Using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs helps keep the meat juicy and flavorful during roasting.
- You can use fresh or frozen cranberries; no need to thaw if frozen.
- If you prefer a less tart dish, reduce the vinegar slightly or increase the brown sugar.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after baking before serving to retain juices.
- Feel free to substitute rosemary with thyme for a different aromatic profile.
