Description

This Cranberry Chicken marries juicy, seared chicken breasts with a glossy, sweet-tangy cranberry glaze. A simple sauce of cranberry, broth, soy, and Dijon bakes down into something rich and festive, perfect for weeknights yet elegant enough for holidays. Every bite is savory, slightly fruity, and beautifully balanced.

Ingredients

Scale

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup cranberry sauce (jellied or whole-berry)
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a medium bowl, whisk together the cranberry sauce, chicken broth, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and sear for 3–4 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
Pour the cranberry sauce mixture evenly over and around the chicken, turning each piece once to coat it well.
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Baste with the pan sauce once or twice if desired.
Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Spoon extra cranberry sauce over the top, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve warm.

Notes

You can use either jellied or whole-berry cranberry sauce; whole-berry will give a bit more texture to the glaze.
If your chicken breasts are very thick, consider slicing them in half horizontally or pounding to an even thickness for more even cooking.
Taste the sauce base before baking—if you prefer it sweeter, whisk in a teaspoon or two of brown sugar or honey.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dinner, Main Course
Method: Stovetop + Baked
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce (1/4 of recipe)
Calories: 320 kcal (approx.)
Sugar: 14 g (approx.)
Sodium: 520 mg (approx.)
Fat: 10 g (approx.)
Saturated Fat: 2 g (approx.)
Unsaturated Fat: 7 g (approx.)
Trans Fat: 0 g (approx.)
Carbohydrates: 22 g (approx.)
Fiber: 1 g (approx.)
Protein: 32 g (approx.)
Cholesterol: 110 mg (approx.)

Keywords: cranberry chicken, cranberry glazed chicken, baked chicken breasts, sweet and tangy chicken, easy holiday dinner