Description
This BEST Cranberry Chicken Recipe features juicy bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs roasted alongside baby potatoes and a vibrant cranberry-orange sauce. The dish balances the tartness of fresh cranberries with sweet brown sugar and zesty orange, all baked together to create a beautifully caramelized, crispy-skinned chicken dinner perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the Cranberry Sauce
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup lightly packed dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (about 1/2 orange)
For the Chicken and Potatoes
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)
- 24 red baby potatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 6 medium cloves garlic (diced by hand)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prep Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil, ensuring it is large enough to arrange all ingredients in a single layer without excess space, to prevent the brown sugar from burning at one end due to oven tilt.
- Prepare Cranberry Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the fresh cranberries, dark brown sugar, orange zest, and freshly squeezed orange juice. Stir gently and let the mixture rest while you prepare the chicken and potatoes.
- Toss Chicken and Potatoes: Place the chicken thighs, baby potatoes, olive oil, diced garlic, and kosher salt onto the prepared baking sheet. Toss everything together until well coated with olive oil and seasoning.
- Arrange Chicken and Potatoes: Position the chicken thighs skin-side up, nestling them evenly among the potatoes in a single layer to ensure even cooking and crispy skin.
- Season with Rosemary: Sprinkle the dried rosemary evenly over the chicken and potatoes to infuse the dish with fragrant herbal notes.
- Add Cranberries: Evenly distribute the cranberry mixture over the baking dish, focusing on covering the potatoes and filling the spaces between ingredients. Avoid placing cranberries directly over the chicken skin to maintain crispness during baking.
- Bake Until Done: Place the baking sheet uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour and 25 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the skin is golden brown and crispy. The potatoes should be tender and the cranberry sauce caramelized.
Notes
- Make sure the chicken skin is dry before tossing to ensure it crisps up nicely.
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm the chicken is fully cooked to 165°F internally.
- For easier cleanup, lining the baking sheet with foil is highly recommended.
- Fresh cranberries are key for the best tart flavor; frozen can be used but might alter texture.
- You can swap baby potatoes for fingerlings or small Yukon golds if preferred.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
