🍯 Honey Cranberry Chicken Bake

Sweet, tangy, and savory — this easy baked chicken dish combines juicy chicken with honey and cranberries for a perfect weeknight dinner or holiday-style meal.

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4)

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
⅓ cup honey
¼ cup orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
2 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried thyme (or rosemary)
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
Optional: orange zest, chopped parsley for garnish

🔪 Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2️⃣ Make the Sauce

In a bowl, whisk together:

Honey
Orange juice
Olive oil
Garlic
Thyme
Salt & pepper

3️⃣ Assemble

Place chicken in the baking dish.
Scatter cranberries around and over the chicken.
Pour honey mixture evenly on top.

4️⃣ Bake

Bake uncovered for 30–40 minutes, or until:

Internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C)
Sauce thickens slightly
Cranberries soften and begin to burst

5️⃣ Optional Broil

Broil 2–3 minutes at the end for light caramelization.

6️⃣ Rest & Serve

Let rest 5 minutes.
Spoon pan sauce over chicken before serving.

🍽️ Serving Ideas

Wild rice or white rice
Roasted vegetables
Mashed potatoes
Side salad

❄️ Storage

Refrigerate up to 4 days
Freeze up to 2 months
Reheat gently to avoid drying out

🥗 Nutrition (Approximate per serving)

Calories: ~350–400
Protein: ~35g
Fat: ~12–15g
Carbs: ~25g

(Varies based on honey amount.)

❓ Q & A

❓ Can I use chicken thighs?

Yes! Thighs stay juicier and may need 5–10 extra minutes depending on size.

❓ Can I use dried cranberries?

Fresh or frozen work best.
If using dried, reduce honey slightly since they’re sweetened.

❓ How do I thicken the sauce more?

Simmer sauce on stovetop before baking
Or remove chicken after cooking and reduce sauce in a pan

❓ Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

❓ Can I make it spicy?

Add:

Red pepper flakes
A dash of cayenne
A spoonful of Dijon mustard