The Best Fluffy Pancakes recipe you will fall in love with. Full of tips and tricks to help you make the best pancakes.
Thanksgiving dinner often feels like a marathon—multiple dishes, hours of prep, crowded ovens, and endless basting. But what if you could create a dish that delivers all the warm, festive holiday flavors with a fraction of the effort? This Baked Cranberry Rosemary Chicken is exactly that: a simple, elegant, and irresistibly flavorful entrée perfect for Thanksgiving dinner, Friendsgiving gatherings, or any cozy fall evening.
Juicy chicken thighs roast until golden and tender in a sweet-tart cranberry rosemary sauce infused with garlic, honey, and citrus. As the chicken bakes, the cranberries burst, releasing their juices to create a naturally thickened glaze that clings beautifully to the meat. Every bite is savory, lightly sweet, citrusy, and aromatic with rosemary—a harmony of flavors that absolutely screams “holiday season.”
While turkey may be the traditional centerpiece, more and more home cooks are embracing chicken for Thanksgiving because it’s affordable, widely available, cooks faster, and produces consistently juicy results. This recipe proves that chicken can be just as impressive and crave-worthy as turkey—especially when paired with seasonal ingredients like cranberries and rosemary.
Whether you’re preparing a scaled-down Thanksgiving menu, hosting a smaller group, or simply craving something holiday-inspired for weeknight dinner, this dish brings major flavor with minimal work.
Why This Cranberry Rosemary Chicken Is Perfect for Thanksgiving
1. Simple, One-Pan Magic
Everything cooks in a single baking dish: chicken, glaze, sauce, and aromatics.
2. Naturally Festive Flavors
Cranberries + rosemary + orange = pure holiday brilliance.
3. Foolproof Juiciness
Bone-in chicken thighs stay moist every time—no worrying about dryness.
4. Quick Cooking Time
No long roasting hours—this dish cooks in under an hour.
5. Looks Stunning on the Table
Bright cranberries and rosemary give this chicken a gorgeous pop of color.
6. Easy to Scale
Make half for a small family Thanksgiving or double for a crowd.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
For the Cranberry Rosemary Glaze
- 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries
- ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
- ¼ cup orange juice
- ⅓ cup chicken broth
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2–3 fresh rosemary sprigs
- Zest of 1 orange
- Optional: ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
For Garnish
- Additional fresh cranberries
- Rosemary sprigs
- Orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat the oven.
Heat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish. - Season the chicken.
Pat chicken thighs dry. Rub with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Place skin-side up in the dish. - Make the cranberry glaze.
In a bowl, combine cranberries, honey, orange juice, chicken broth, minced garlic, balsamic vinegar, orange zest, and rosemary. - Pour over the chicken.
Scatter cranberries around the chicken and spoon some glaze on top. - Bake.
Roast uncovered for 40–45 minutes, or until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and skin is golden.
Stir cranberries halfway to ensure even cooking. - Optional Broil.
For crispier skin, broil on high for 2–3 minutes. - Rest & Serve.
Let chicken rest for 5 minutes. Spoon pan glaze over the top. Garnish with rosemary and fresh cranberries.
Tips for the Best Baked Cranberry Rosemary Chicken
Dry the chicken well.
This ensures beautifully crisp, golden skin.
Use bone-in, skin-on thighs.
They stay juicier than breasts and produce richer flavor.
Taste your sauce.
If it’s too tart, add more honey or maple. If too sweet, add a splash of vinegar.
Don’t skip orange zest.
It brightens the dish and enhances the cranberry flavor.
Broil for crispiness.
A quick broil caramelizes the glaze beautifully.
Variations
Cranberry Rosemary Chicken Breasts
Use 3 large breasts, reduce bake time to 25–30 minutes.
Maple Cranberry Chicken
Replace honey fully with maple syrup.
Cranberry Balsamic Glazed Drumsticks
Use chicken drumsticks for a fun finger-food Thanksgiving dish.
Spicy Cranberry Chicken
Add 1–2 tsp chili paste or sriracha to the glaze.
Serving Suggestions
This dish pairs perfectly with:
- mashed potatoes
- roasted sweet potatoes
- green beans
- wild rice pilaf
- dinner rolls
- cornbread stuffing
For Thanksgiving, serve alongside classic sides like stuffing, cranberry sauce, roasted squash, or mashed sweet potatoes.
Baked Cranberry Rosemary Chicken
A festive, flavorful one-pan chicken dish baked with fresh cranberries, rosemary, garlic, and citrus—perfect for an easy Thanksgiving dinner.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a baking dish.
- Season chicken thighs with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Mix cranberries, honey, orange juice, broth, garlic, vinegar, zest, and rosemary in a bowl.
- Pour glaze over chicken and scatter cranberries around.
- Bake 40–45 minutes or until chicken reaches 165°F.
- Broil 2–3 minutes for crispier skin if desired.
- Rest 5 minutes, spoon glaze on top, and garnish.
Notes
Adjust sweetness or tartness by altering honey or vinegar. Broil carefully to avoid burning.
Make-Ahead & Storage
Make-ahead:
Assemble chicken and glaze in the baking dish, cover, and refrigerate up to 12 hours.
Refrigerate: 3–4 days
Freeze: up to 3 months
Reheat: 350°F for 10–15 minutes
Fun Fact
Cranberries were one of the original fruits enjoyed during early American harvest celebrations. Their natural tartness pairs beautifully with savory dishes, which is why cranberry sauces and glazes have become Thanksgiving staples for centuries.
