Description
This Cranberry Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken breasts baked in a flavorful homemade cranberry sauce. The sauce combines whole berry cranberry sauce with savory spices, garlic, and a touch of sweetness, creating a perfect balance of tart and sweet flavors. It’s an easy, impressive dish to serve over rice for dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
Sauce
- 1 (14 oz.) can whole berry cranberry sauce
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons dried minced onion
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
For Serving and Garnish
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
- Cooked rice, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray and set it aside to prepare for the chicken.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the whole berry cranberry sauce, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, dried minced onion, light brown sugar, dried parsley flakes, onion powder, paprika, salt, and ground black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated into a smooth sauce.
- Arrange the Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a single layer in the prepared baking dish to ensure even cooking.
- Pour the Sauce: Evenly pour the prepared cranberry sauce mixture over the chicken breasts, making sure each piece is fully coated to maximize flavor infusion during baking.
- Bake the Chicken: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 45 minutes. Bake until the sauce is bubbly and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring the chicken is cooked safely through.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, spoon some of the cranberry sauce over the chicken breasts. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve the chicken warm over a bed of cooked rice to complete the meal.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to guarantee it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Whole berry cranberry sauce is preferred for texture, but you can use jellied cranberry sauce if desired.
- If you want a less sweet sauce, reduce the light brown sugar slightly.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed vegetables or a fresh green salad for a balanced meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
