Description
Baked Cranberry Chicken with Rosemary is a delightful dish that combines tender, juicy chicken with the tartness of fresh cranberries and the aromatic earthiness of rosemary. Enhanced with a natural maple syrup glaze and subtle hints of garlic and apple cider vinegar, this easy-to-make recipe delivers a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors, ideal for family meals or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 4 chicken thighs or breasts (bone-in or boneless)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Herbs and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Cranberry Glaze
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup (natural)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 teaspoon natural gelling agent (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to ensure crispiness during baking. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Sauté Garlic and Rosemary: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped rosemary, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant to infuse the oil with flavor.
- Brown the Chicken: Place the chicken in the skillet skin side down and sear for 4-5 minutes until golden and crispy. Flip and cook another 3 minutes to lock in flavor and develop texture.
- Make the Cranberry Glaze: In a small bowl, mix fresh cranberries with maple syrup (natural), apple cider vinegar, and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural). Let sit for 5 minutes to soften the cranberries. Add natural gelling agent if a thicker glaze is desired and mix well.
- Assemble and Bake: Transfer the browned chicken to a baking dish. Spoon the cranberry glaze evenly over the chicken pieces. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the glaze is bubbly and slightly caramelized.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and allow it to rest for a few minutes to lock in the juices before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh rosemary for the best flavor and aroma.
- Do not skip searing the chicken; it creates better texture and deeper flavor.
- Adjust the amount of maple syrup and apple cider vinegar to balance the sweetness and tanginess to your taste.
- Skin-on chicken adds extra crispiness but boneless works well too.
- Let the chicken rest after baking to keep the meat tender and juicy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: cranberry chicken, baked chicken, rosemary chicken, savory and sweet chicken, holiday chicken recipe, easy chicken bake