Description
Succulent orange cranberry chicken thighs elevate weeknight dinners with Mediterranean-inspired flavors. Zesty citrus and tart cranberries create a delightful glaze that complements tender chicken perfectly, promising a meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 cup (240 ml) fresh orange juice
- ⅓ cup (65 g) honey
- 1 cup (100 g) fresh or frozen cranberries
- 2 tbsps soy sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- Zest of 1 orange
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Heat oven to 375F (190C) and lightly spray a baking dish with cooking spray to prevent adhesion.
- Season and Sear: Pat chicken thighs dry, season with salt and black pepper. Sear in hot skillet with olive oil, developing a golden-brown crust on skin-side for 3-4 minutes to lock in moisture and intensify flavor profile.
- Compose Sauce: Blend orange juice, zest, honey, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and dried thyme in a mixing bowl. Incorporate cranberries, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Assemble and Coat: Position seared chicken thighs skin-side up in prepared baking dish. Lavishly drench meat with prepared sauce, ensuring complete coverage.
- Roast to Perfection: Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until chicken internal temperature reaches 165F and skin becomes crisp and bronzed.
- Enhance Sauce (Optional): Transfer cooking liquids to saucepan. Create cornstarch slurry, integrate into sauce to achieve a velvety, concentrated consistency.
- Plate and Garnish: Drizzle reduced sauce over chicken. Embellish with additional orange zest or fresh herbs. Serve alongside complementary accompaniments like rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables.
Notes
- Moisture Mastery: Pat chicken thighs completely dry before seasoning to ensure crispy skin and prevent steaming instead of browning.
- Searing Secrets: Use a hot cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan for optimal caramelization, creating a flavor-packed exterior that seals in juices.
- Sauce Balancing: Adjust honey and soy sauce ratios to control sweetness and saltiness, tasting and tweaking before pouring over chicken for personalized flavor profile.
- Temperature Precision: Use a digital meat thermometer to guarantee chicken reaches exactly 165F, preventing overcooking while ensuring food safety.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg