Cranberry Chicken
This simple Cranberry Chicken recipe is a sweet and tangy baked chicken dinner made with just a few ingredients. French dressing and cranberry sauce create a glossy sauce that keeps the chicken moist and flavorful. Serve it over mashed potatoes or rice and garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs for a beautiful presentation.
Love easy chicken dinner recipes? This Greek Lemon Chicken with Potatoes is a classic Mediterranean dish you can have on the table in about an hour!
The short answer is yes, cranberry sauce and chicken pair perfectly together. The natural sweetness and tartness of the cranberry sauce help cut through the richness of the chicken, making the perfect bite.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Juicy flavorful chicken
- Tart tang flavor from the cranberries
- Perfect dish for fall and winter
- Easy one-pan recipe
- Flavors reminiscent of the holidays
Cranberry Chicken Ingredients
Pair this meal with our delicious Creamy Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans Almondine for an extra special meal.
Ingredients
Chicken breasts – Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts; you can substitute chicken thighs if you prefer.
Whole berry cranberry sauce – One can of whole cranberry sauce adds the perfect tartness. It adds wonderful texture and beautiful color to the finished dish.
French dressing – Prepared French dressing; it’s easy and adds great flavor.
Packaged onion soup mix – One package, all the herbs and spices you need.
Fresh rosemary sprigs – Optional as a garnish when serving.
Mashed potatoes or cooked rice – Either makes the perfect accompaniment.
How To Make Cranberry Chicken
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Place the chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the cranberry sauce, French dressing, and soup mix until smooth. Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Spoon the sauce over the chicken and serve warm over mashed potatoes or rice.
Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs before serving.
Can I use leftover Thanksgiving cranberry sauce?
Definitely! This is a wonderful way to use leftover homemade cranberry sauce. Depending on how sweet or tart your sauce is, you may want to adjust the seasonings.
Little Chef’s Secrets
- If the sauce seems too thick, stir in a splash of water before baking.
- Serve over mashed potatoes or rice to soak up the sauce.
- Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs for a fragrant and elegant presentation.
- Let the chicken rest before serving so the juices stay inside the meat.
- Use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for a juicier result.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) without drying out.
- Browning the chicken in a skillet before baking adds a delicious savory depth.
Delicious Cranberry Chicken Variations
Cranberry Orange Chicken
Add fresh orange zest and a splash of orange juice to the cranberry sauce. The citrus brightens the flavor and complements the tart cranberries beautifully.
Cranberry Balsamic Chicken
Add a little balsamic vinegar to the sauce for a rich, tangy flavor that balances the sweetness of the cranberries.
Spicy Cranberry Chicken
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a little chili sauce to give the sweet cranberry sauce a subtle kick.
Pin it HERE!!
Pin it HERE!!
Cranberry Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts boneless & skinless
- 1 14 ounce can whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1 cup French dressing
- 1 package onion soup mix
- Fresh rosemary sprigs for serving
- Mashed potatoes or cooked rice for serving
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Place the chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the cranberry sauce, French dressing, and soup mix, until smooth.
- Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Spoon the sauce over the chicken and serve warm over mashed potatoes or rice.
- Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs before serving.
