Cranberry-Balsamic Chicken Thighs

Cranberry-Balsamic Chicken Thighs

4 servings
To round out this healthy chicken dinner recipe, put some farro on to cook before you start cooking the chicken. Add some steamed broccoli and serve with a glass of pinot noir.

Ingredients

  • bone-in chicken thighs

    about 1 1/2 pounds

    4
  • salt

    divided

    ½ tsp
  • pepper
    ¼ tsp
  • extra-virgin olive oil
    1 tbsp
  • cranberries

    thawed if frozen

    1 ½ c
  • balsamic vinegar
    ¼ c
  • honey
    2 tbsp
  • chopped fresh thyme

    plus more for garnish

    1 tsp

Directions

  1. 1

    Sprinkle chicken with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, skin-side down, reduce heat to medium and cook, undisturbed, until golden brown, about 7 minutes. Remove all but 1 tablespoon fat from the pan.

  2. 2

    Turn the chicken over and add cranberries, vinegar, honey and thyme to the pan. Bring to a simmer over high heat, then reduce heat to maintain a simmer. Partially cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part without touching bone reaches 165 degrees F, 10 to 12 minutes.

  3. 3

    Transfer the chicken to a serving platter. Increase heat to high, add the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook uncovered, stirring, until the sauce is thickened, about 1 minute. Serve the chicken with the sauce.

Cranberry-Balsamic Chicken Thighs

Cranberry-Balsamic Chicken Thighs

25 min4 servings317 cal

Similar Recipes

Baked Lemon Chicken Thighs

Baked Lemon Chicken Thighs

These baked lemon chicken thighs come together in a flash, yielding perfectly cooked meat, crispy skin, and a plentiful, delicious, lemony-wine sauce.

45 minutes
Sweet and Spicy Grilled Chicken Thighs

Sweet and Spicy Grilled Chicken Thighs

This easy recipe for grilled chicken thighs has a piquant marinade and requires very little prep time: all the right notes for a standout weeknight dinner.

4 servings
Easy Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Easy Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Holy moly is this delicious!!! This Honey Garlic Chicken is so yummy AND so healthy. Seriously and not to brag, but everyone who has tried it loves it! My fam…

28 minutes
BBQ Baked Chicken Thighs

BBQ Baked Chicken Thighs

BBQ Baked Chicken Thighs are rubbed with a simple seasoning, then basted in your favorite barbecue sauce for the best baked barbecue chicken ever!

50 minutes336 kcal
Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe

Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe

Have you ever wondered why baked chicken thighs are often hailed as the perfect weeknight dinner solution? Not only do they offer a delightful combination of crispy skin and juicy meat, but they also require less time to prepare compared to other more labor-intensive chicken recipes. Did you know that roasted chicken thighs can lead to nearly 30% more flavor retention than chicken breasts? In this blog post, we’ll dive into a mouthwatering baked chicken thighs recipe that guarantees a delightful experience, packed with flavor and nutrition.

75 minutes280 kcal
Baked Crispy Chicken Thighs

Baked Crispy Chicken Thighs

These easy Crispy Chicken Thighs are baked in the oven and a delicious main to pair with your favorite side dish. 

45 minutes4 servings378 kcal
Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

These Oven Baked Chicken Thighs are easy to make and come out so juicy and flavorful! Great for a healthy family dinner, and keto/low carb friendly, too.

45 minutes
Greek Chicken Thighs

Greek Chicken Thighs

Change up your weeknight dinner with these rich lemon-garlic Greek Chicken Thighs. The flavor is out of this world, but it's so easy to make!

75 minutes6 servings

Ratings & Reviews

Be the First to Rate

Your rating helps others discover amazing recipes. Share your experience and let others know what you think!

About this Recipe

Craving a healthy, flavorful dinner that comes together in a flash? These Cranberry-Balsamic Chicken Thighs offer an elegant solution, delivering rich, tangy flavors with minimal fuss, ready in just 25 minutes.

The magic of this dish lies in its vibrant sauce, where tart cranberries meet the deep, sweet notes of balsamic vinegar and honey. This combination creates a glistening glaze that perfectly complements the savory chicken, ensuring every bite is balanced and utterly satisfying.

Prepare for tender, juicy bone-in chicken thighs enveloped in a ruby-red sauce. The cranberries burst with tangy goodness, beautifully mellowed by the balsamic and honey, with a subtle aromatic lift from fresh thyme. It's a healthy, flavorful meal that feels much more elaborate than its quick preparation suggests.

While delightful as is, you can easily adjust the sweetness of the sauce by slightly increasing or decreasing the honey to suit your palate. If fresh thyme isn't available, you can use a smaller amount of dried thyme, keeping in mind its more concentrated flavor.

This cranberry-balsamic chicken dinner is ideal for a satisfying weeknight meal or a casual gathering. Serve it alongside perfectly cooked farro and steamed broccoli, perhaps with a glass of pinot noir for a truly rounded experience.

Frequently Asked Questions