Description
Baked Orange Cranberry Chicken Thighs deliver a juicy and flavorful experience, combining tender bone-in, skin-on chicken with a vibrant sauce of fresh cranberries, orange zest and juice, honey, and aromatic herbs. This dish is perfect for a comforting dinner that balances sweet and savory notes with a delightful herbal finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 pieces Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Sauce & Seasoning
- 2 cups Fresh cranberries (fresh or frozen)
- 1 medium Orange (zest and juice)
- 1/4 cup Honey (or maple syrup as an alternative)
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil (or melted butter for richer taste)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper (freshly ground)
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder (or fresh garlic)
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder (or fresh onion)
- 1 teaspoon Dried rosemary (or double amount fresh herbs)
- 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken thighs evenly.
- Season Chicken: In a large mixing bowl, season the chicken thighs thoroughly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried rosemary, and dried thyme to build depth of flavor.
- Prepare Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the orange zest, fresh orange juice, cranberries, honey, and olive oil. Stir well until all ingredients are fully blended into a vibrant sauce.
- Arrange Chicken and Sauce: Place the seasoned chicken thighs in a baking dish. Pour the cranberry-orange sauce evenly over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well-coated.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook gently in the flavorful juices.
- Bake Uncovered for Browning: Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the chicken skin is browned and crisp.
- Check Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken; it should reach 165°F (75°C) to ensure it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired and serve warm for an inviting meal.
Notes
- Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are recommended for moist, flavorful results.
- Fresh or frozen cranberries can be used interchangeably with no difference in taste.
- Maple syrup can substitute honey for a different natural sweetness.
- Melted butter can substitute olive oil for a richer flavor profile.
- Use freshly ground black pepper and fresh garlic/onion for enhanced aroma and taste.
- Double dried herbs quantity if using fresh rosemary and thyme instead to maintain herbal intensity.
- Allow chicken to rest after baking to keep it juicy.
