Creamy Cranberry Balsamic Roasted Chicken is a gorgeous dish full of robust flavors that will wow your dinner guests for the holidays or any time of year!
The holidays are fast-approaching, and this year of all years, we’re all looking for new ways to celebrate and that includes the meals. Gatherings may be smaller, menus shorter than in years past, but that doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice on taste and presentation.
Whether it’s a Christmas Eve meal with close family, or a larger gathering on Christmas Day, the flavors in this Creamy Cranberry Balsamic Roasted Chicken with be a hit with whoever you serve it to. A marinade of cranberries, balsamic vinegar, and…wait for it…coconut milk, soak into the chicken making it flavorful and moist. Adding whole cranberries and fresh thyme on top while roasting only sweetens the deal.
Tender, juicy chicken thighs with a lightly crisped skin will be the star of your holiday dinner, and quite possibly part of the new traditonal meal! The hands-on time is minimal, which leaves you free to prep other components of the meal while it marinates and roasts. But it doesn’t take so long that it ties up the oven or you have to wait an eternity to eat. Marinate the night before and you can have this on the table in under an hour!
Looking for more dishes to round out your holiday meal? Try my Dijon Maple Green Beans with Caramelized Pecans and Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip
What it takes to make Creamy Cranberry Balsamic Roasted Chicken:
Fresh or frozen cranberries (for the marinade & roasting)
Olive oil
Coconut milk
Balsamic vinegar
Salt & pepper
Garlic
Chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
Fresh thyme sprigs
How to make Creamy Cranberry Balsamic Roasted Chicken:
Full printable recipe below!
Step 1
Combine marinade ingredients in a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Reserve 1/4 cup for later use.
Step 2
Place chicken in a roasting pan or oven safe skillet, skin side down. Pour marinade over chicken, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes – 24 hours. The longer the better!
Step 3
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Step 4
Spread cranberries and thyme sprigs over chicken and bake 25-35 minutes.
Step 5
Remove from oven and flip chicken. Brush with reserved marinade and check for doneness. If temperature has not reached 165 degrees F, cook for an additional 10 minutes or until it does reach that temperature. If done, broil for 3-4 minutes to brown and crisp the skin.
Step 6
Spoon pan sauce over chicken and serve with roasted cranberries and fresh thyme, if desired.
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I’ve joined up with some of my blogger friends to bring you a ton of great Cranberry recipes this week. Make sure you check out the other recipes below!
If you’re looking for a holiday meal to really wow your guests, look no further than this Creamy Cranberry Balsamic Roasted Chicken!
Ingredients
For the marinade
- 1/3 cup cranberries, fresh (or frozen, thawed)
- 4 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp garlic, chopped
For the chicken
- 3 lbs chicken thighs (skin-on, bone-in) (6-8 thighs)
- 3-5 sprigs fresh thyme, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 cup fresh cranberries (or frozen, thawed)
Instructions
- Combine marinade ingredients in a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Reserve 1/4 cup for later use.
- Place chicken in a roasting pan or oven safe skillet, skin side down. Pour marinade over chicken, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes – 24 hours. The longer the better!
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Spread cranberries and thyme sprigs over chicken and bake 25-35 minutes. Remove from oven and flip chicken. Brush with reserved marinade and check for doneness. If temperature has not reached 165 degrees F, cook for an additional 10 minutes or until it does reach that temperature. If done, broil for 3-4 minutes to brown and crisp the skin.
- Spoon pan sauce over chicken and serve with roasted cranberries and fresh thyme, if desired.
Nutrition
Monday Cranberry Recipes
Blue Cheese Cranberry Ball by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Braised Red Cabbage with Cranberries & Maple by Savory Moments
Cranberry BBQ Chicken Sandwiches by Cheese Curd In Paradise
Cranberry Sauce with Caramelized Onions by Shockingly Delicious
Cranberry Scones by Kate’s Recipe Box
Creamy Cranberry Balsamic Roasted Chicken by Sweet Beginnings
Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs by Our Crafty Mom
Spiced Cranberry Apple Cider by Palatable Pastime
Spicy Cranberry Soup by Magical Ingredients
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies by House of Nash Eats
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