Orange Cranberry Roasted Balsamic Chicken
This cranberry balsamic chicken uses a flavourful marinade of cranberries, balsamic, and orange and is a crowd pleasing hit for holiday festivities!
Servings: 8
Calories: 186.6kcal
Ingredients
Marinade
- ½ cup cranberries fresh or frozen and thawed
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp thyme dried
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp orange zest
- 1 tbsp orange juice
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 onion sliced
- 5 clove garlic peeled
- 8 sprigs thyme
- ½ orange sliced
Notes
*Note that boneless and bone-in chicken breasts will have different cooking times. Read recipe instructions carefully to ensure that the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165F (74C).
Instructions
- In a blender or food processor, combine cranberries, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, thyme, onion powder, orange zest, orange juice, salt, and pepper. Blend the ingredients until smooth and well-combined.½ cup cranberries, ¼ cup balsamic vinegar, 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tsp thyme, 1 tsp onion powder, 2 tsp orange, 1 tbsp orange
- Place the chicken breasts in a large zip-lock bag or a shallow dish. Pour the cranberry balsamic marinade over the chicken, making sure each piece is well-coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap.4 chicken
- Refrigerate the chicken and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat. For a deeper flavor, you can marinate it for several hours or even overnight.
- While the chicken is marinating, preheat the oven to 400F (200C). Add the marinated chicken to a prepared baking sheet and pour any leftover marinade on top.
- Arrange the sliced onion, garlic cloves, thyme sprigs, and orange slices on top of and around the chicken.1 onion, 5 clove garlic, 8 sprigs thyme, ½ orange
- Cover the chicken with aluminum foil and place in the oven, cooking for 25-30 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165F (74C). If you are using chicken breasts with the bone-in, cook for 40-45 minutes.
- Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove from the oven and serve with your favourite side dishes.
Cooking Tips
Marinate for Flavor:Allow the chicken breasts to marinate in the cranberry balsamic mixture for at least 30 minutes to infuse them with flavor.Choose Lean Chicken Breasts:Opt for skinless, boneless chicken breasts to keep the dish leaner. This helps control saturated fat intake.Properly Preheat Oven:Ensure the oven is preheated before roasting the chicken for even cooking and a nicely browned exterior.Baste During Roasting:Baste the chicken breasts with the cranberry balsamic mixture during roasting to keep them moist and flavorful.Use a Meat Thermometer:Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should reach at least 165°F (74°C).
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Orange Cranberry Roasted Balsamic Chicken
Amount per Serving
Calories
186.6
% Daily Value*
Fat
6.5
g
10
%
Saturated Fat
1.1
g
7
%
Trans Fat
0.01
g
Cholesterol
72.3
mg
24
%
Sodium
134.5
mg
6
%
Potassium
492.4
mg
14
%
Carbohydrates
6.1
g
2
%
Fiber
1
g
4
%
Sugar
3
g
3
%
Protein
24.6
g
49
%
Vitamin C
11.9
mg
14
%
Vitamin D
0.1
µg
1
%
Calcium
27.9
mg
3
%
Iron
0.9
mg
5
%
Magnesium
36.1
mg
9
%
Zinc
0.8
mg
5
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.