Description
Juicy chicken thighs baked in a sweet and savory cranberry glaze with barbecue sauce, balsamic vinegar, and maple syrup. Perfect for Christmas or cozy winter dinners.
Ingredients
- 8 chicken thighs or drumsticks (seasoned with salt, pepper, paprika)
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- Fresh thyme sprigs (for garnish)
- For the glaze:
- ½ cup sweet barbecue sauce (honey garlic preferred)
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup cranberry juice
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ tsp mustard (maple-flavored preferred)
- 1 heaping tbsp dark brown sugar
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a saucepan, whisk together barbecue sauce, soy sauce, cranberry juice, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, sea salt, black pepper, garlic, mustard, and brown sugar. Simmer until slightly thickened.
3. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet. Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden.
4. Pour glaze over chicken, sprinkle cranberries, and add thyme sprigs.
5. Bake for 35–40 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F (75°C).
6. Rest 5 minutes before serving, then garnish with fresh thyme.
Notes
Pat chicken dry before searing for best crispiness.
Taste and adjust glaze sweetness or salt before baking.
Add chili flakes for a spicy version.
Glaze can be made 3 days ahead or chicken frozen up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Holiday, Chicken
- Method: Baked, Skillet-to-Oven
- Cuisine: American, Holiday
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 pieces with glaze
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg