These baked chicken thighs feature a delicious cranberry orange sauce, making them a perfect easy chicken thigh recipe for any night.
This dish brings together the savory goodness of chicken with a bright, tangy, and slightly sweet glaze that’s sure to become a family favorite. It’s a simple yet elegant meal that’s perfect for weeknights but special enough for company.
Get ready to discover how effortlessly you can create this flavorful meal. We’ll walk you through each step, ensuring your chicken thighs are perfectly cooked, juicy, and coated in that irresistible cranberry orange sauce. It’s a recipe designed for busy home cooks who want maximum flavor with minimal fuss.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Cranberry Orange Baked Chicken Thighs
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
These baked chicken thighs feature a delicious cranberry orange sauce, making them a perfect easy chicken thigh recipe for any night. This dish brings together the savory goodness of chicken with a bright, tangy, and slightly sweet glaze that’s sure to become a family favorite. It’s a simple yet elegant meal that’s perfect for weeknights but special enough for company.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400 F (200 C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides of the chicken thighs generously with salt and black pepper. Arrange them in a single layer on your prepared baking sheet.
3. Optional but Recommended: In a large oven-safe skillet (like cast iron) over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Once hot, place the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 3-5 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy. If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can skip this and just bake, but the skin won’t be as crispy.
4. While the chicken is searing or baking, combine the cranberry sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, orange zest, and ground ginger in a medium bowl. Whisk until all ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth.
5. If you seared the chicken, transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. If not, place the baking sheet with the seasoned chicken into the oven. Bake for 15 minutes.
6. After 15 minutes, remove the chicken from the oven. Spoon or brush about half of the cranberry orange sauce over the chicken thighs, ensuring they are well coated. Return to the oven and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 F (74 C) when measured with a meat thermometer, and the sauce is bubbly and slightly caramelized.
7. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring tender and moist chicken. Drizzle with any remaining sauce from the pan and garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 chicken thighs
Keywords: chicken, cranberry, orange, baked, thighs, easy, weeknight, dinner, poultry, sweet and savory
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This recipe is a true weeknight hero, designed for anyone looking for a flavorful meal without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s perfect for busy parents, new cooks, or anyone who appreciates a delicious, fuss-free dinner. The combination of tender baked chicken thighs with a vibrant cranberry orange sauce is a delightful balance of sweet and savory, making it appealing to a wide range of palates, including picky eaters. You can serve it as a comforting family dinner, a quick meal prep option for lunches, or even as an impressive yet easy dish for casual entertaining. The simple ingredients and straightforward steps ensure success every time, delivering a juicy, flavorful chicken that’s anything but boring.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients ahead of time makes the cooking process smooth and enjoyable. You’ll find that most of these items are likely already in your pantry or easily accessible at any grocery store. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the way a few key ingredients come together to create a complex flavor profile.
INGREDIENTS:
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2.5-3 pounds total)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce (canned or homemade)
- 1/2 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed or store-bought)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon orange zest (from one orange)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
For simple substitutions, if you don’t have whole berry cranberry sauce, jellied cranberry sauce can work in a pinch, though the texture will be smoother. Regular granulated sugar can replace brown sugar, but brown sugar adds a deeper, molasses-like note. If you don’t have Dijon mustard, a small amount of yellow mustard can be used, but Dijon offers a more sophisticated flavor. Chicken breasts can be used instead of thighs, but adjust baking time as they cook faster and can dry out more easily. For a slightly different flavor profile, you could experiment with a splash of maple syrup instead of brown sugar.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for efficiency, delivering a delicious meal without a lengthy commitment.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
The actual hands-on time is minimal, allowing you to get other things done while the chicken bakes to perfection in the oven.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating these cranberry orange baked chicken thighs is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for perfectly cooked, flavorful chicken every time.
- Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup. This step is crucial for even cooking and preventing sticking.
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. This helps the skin crisp up nicely. Season both sides of the chicken thighs generously with salt and black pepper. Arrange them in a single layer on your prepared baking sheet.
- Sear the Chicken (Optional but Recommended): In a large oven-safe skillet (like cast iron) over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Once hot, place the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 3-5 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy. This step adds incredible flavor and texture. If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can skip this and just bake, but the skin won’t be as crispy.
- Whisk the Cranberry Orange Sauce: While the chicken is searing or baking, combine the cranberry sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, orange zest, and ground ginger in a medium bowl. Whisk until all ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth.
- Bake the Chicken: If you seared the chicken, transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. If not, place the baking sheet with the seasoned chicken into the oven. Bake for 15 minutes.
- Glaze and Finish Baking: After 15 minutes, remove the chicken from the oven. Spoon or brush about half of the cranberry orange sauce over the chicken thighs, ensuring they are well coated. Return to the oven and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) when measured with a meat thermometer, and the sauce is bubbly and slightly caramelized.
- Rest and Serve: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring tender and moist chicken. Drizzle with any remaining sauce from the pan and garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This cranberry orange chicken is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions.
For a kid-friendly twist, you can make the sauce slightly sweeter by adding an extra tablespoon of brown sugar or a touch of honey. Kids often love the bright, fruity flavor. You can also serve it with familiar sides like mashed potatoes or rice to make it more approachable.
If you’re looking for swaps, consider using boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts for a leaner option, just be mindful of cooking times as they will be shorter. For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce. A dash of cinnamon or nutmeg can also enhance the warm spice notes.
When serving for a party or buffet, this dish holds up well. You can prepare the sauce ahead of time and simply bake the chicken closer to serving. It pairs beautifully with a wild rice pilaf, roasted root vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes, or a simple green salad. For a lighter meal, serve it alongside steamed green beans or asparagus.
Optional toppings or dips can elevate the experience. A sprinkle of toasted pecans or walnuts can add a lovely crunch. A dollop of plain Greek yogurt or sour cream on the side can offer a creamy contrast, especially if you like a little tang. Fresh orange slices or segments can also be used as a vibrant garnish.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Being aware of these can help you achieve perfect results every time.
One frequent mistake is not patting the chicken dry before seasoning or searing. Excess moisture on the chicken skin prevents it from getting crispy and can lead to a less appealing texture. Always use paper towels to thoroughly dry the chicken.
Overcooking the chicken is another common issue, resulting in dry, tough meat. Chicken thighs are more forgiving than breasts, but still benefit from being cooked to the correct internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). A meat thermometer is your best friend here. Insert it into the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding the bone.
Not searing the chicken (if using skin-on thighs) can lead to flabby skin. While the recipe offers the option to skip searing, taking those few extra minutes to brown the skin in a hot pan before baking significantly improves the texture and flavor.
Applying all the sauce too early can cause it to burn or become too thick and sticky. By adding half the sauce initially and the rest towards the end, you allow the flavors to meld and caramelize without over-reducing or burning.
Finally, not letting the chicken rest after baking can result in juices running out when you cut into it, leading to drier meat. A short 5-minute rest allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken moist and tender.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This cranberry orange baked chicken is excellent for meal prep and leftovers. Proper storage ensures it remains delicious.
To store leftovers, allow the chicken to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The sauce tends to thicken slightly upon cooling, which can be quite pleasant.
For reheating, the best method is to gently warm the chicken in the oven or an air fryer at 300-325°F (150-160°C) until heated through. This helps the skin (if present) crisp up again and prevents the chicken from drying out. If using a microwave, reheat in short bursts, checking frequently,
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
