Cranberry Glazed Chicken

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Ever panicked about the Christmas main course? I know I have! This cranberry glazed chicken recipe is your secret weapon.

It's packed with that perfect sweet and tart flavour we all crave during the holidays, honestly!.

Brief Overview

This dish gives a nod to classic American holiday traditions. It is a super easy Christmas main course , taking around 1 hour and 20 minutes from start to finish.

The recipe yields 6-8 servings, just right for a family Christmas dinner.

Main Benefits

Chicken is a great source of lean protein, making this both delicious and healthy ish! It's perfect for your Christmas dinner or even a fancy Sunday lunch.

What makes this extra special is the make-ahead cranberry glaze. It will save your time on Christmas day and it tastes amazing!.

Why This Recipe is Your Christmas Miracle

Trying to find easy christmas main dishes that don't involve spending all day in the kitchen? Me too! This recipe is the answer! Plus, the cranberry glaze oh my gosh! adds the perfect festive touch.

Okay, let's get those sorted, shall we? This festive chicken recipe is also unbelievably simple. We will see how easy it is!.

A Story (Or Two!)

One Christmas, I tried a complicated goose recipe. Disaster! Burnt to a crisp. Now, I stick to recipes that are simple, flavorful, and don't require a culinary degree! This recipe is also one of the easy christmas dinner ideas , I swear.

Plus, using fresh ingredients whenever possible will bring out the best flavor. Oh My gosh, the final result will speak for itself!.

look into Into Flavours

The combination of sweet cranberries, tangy orange, and a hint of spice. Is what really makes this chicken sing. Now let's get started, shall we?

Ingredients & Equipment for Your Cranberry Glazed Chicken Masterpiece

Alright, let's dive into what you'll need to create this festive bird. This easy christmas main course is all about that balance of flavour, and trust me, the ingredients list is shorter than Santa's nice list.

You got this! This festive chicken recipe is gonna be a winner.

Main Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken ( 4-5 pounds/1.8-2.3 kg ), giblets gone. I usually get mine from the local butcher. Good quality makes ALL the difference.

• 1 tablespoon olive oil ( 15 ml ). Nothing fancy, just the regular stuff.

• 1 teaspoon salt ( 5 g ). Sea salt is my go-to.

• ½ teaspoon black pepper ( 2.5 g ). Freshly ground if you're feeling fancy.

• 1 medium onion, quartered. Yellow or white, your call.

• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary. Adds that Christmasy vibe, doesn't it?

• 2 sprigs fresh thyme. Because rosemary needs a friend.

• 1 (12-ounce) package fresh or frozen cranberries ( 340g ). Frozen works just as well, especially if you're prepping ahead.

• ½ cup orange juice ( 120 ml ). Freshly squeezed? You legend!

• ¼ cup maple syrup ( 60 ml ). Gives it that gorgeous sweetness.

• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard ( 30 ml ). Adds a bit of tang.

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar ( 15 ml ). Balances the sweet.

• 1 teaspoon orange zest ( 5 ml ). Zest is best, honestly.

• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ( 2.5 g ). Christmas in a spice jar!

• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves ( 1.25 g ). A little goes a long way.

Seasoning Notes

The essential spice combo here is cinnamon and cloves. This festive mix is what screams "Christmas"! Don't skimp on these if you're aiming for that proper Christmas chicken dinner flavour.

For flavour enhancers, the orange zest and apple cider vinegar are key. The orange zest, in particular, brings this amazing freshness to it that I totally love.

If you're missing something, don't panic! Honey or agave can sub for maple syrup. Lemon juice works in a pinch if you're out of apple cider vinegar.

The key here is to experiment and find what you like.

Equipment Needed

Okay, nothing too intimidating here, promise. You'll need:

• Roasting pan. A standard one will do.
• Roasting rack (optional). Helps the chicken cook evenly, but you can skip it.
• Meat thermometer. Essential to ensure your chicken reaches 165° F ( 74° C) . Nobody wants a dry bird.
• Small saucepan. For the glaze.

If you don't have a roasting rack, just use some roughly chopped veggies (carrots, celery, onion) underneath the chicken. Easy peasy! These easy christmas dinner ideas really do make the cooking process a lot less stressful and manageable.

I remember when I was starting out, I was always so scared to host Christmas, but now I look forward to making this holiday chicken recipe for my family.

Cranberry Glazed Chicken: Your Easy Christmas Main Course Hero!

Okay, let's get those easy christmas main dishes sorted, shall we? Seriously, who needs complicated when you're juggling present wrapping and family drama?

Prep Like a Pro: Essential Mise en Place

First things first, grab your ingredients. You'll need a 4-5 pound chicken, cranberries, orange juice, maple syrup you know, all that festive jazz.

Chop an onion into quarters. Snip some rosemary and thyme. Honestly, having everything prepped before you start is a total lifesaver.

You do not want to be scrambling for maple syrup when the oven is preheated to 400° F ( 200° C) .

Also, give that bird a good pat down with paper towels, like you're prepping it for a photoshoot!

Cranberry Glaze Magic: step-by-step

1. Heat your oven to 400° F ( 200° C) . Pat your chicken dry and rub it with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of pepper. Stuff it with the onion and herbs.
2. Roast the chicken for 30 minutes .
3. While it roasts, make the glaze. Combine cranberries, ½ cup orange juice, ¼ cup maple syrup, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon orange zest, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon cloves in a saucepan.
4. Simmer the glaze until the cranberries burst and it thickens, about 10- 15 minutes .
5. After 30 minutes of roasting, brush the chicken with half the glaze. Lower the oven to 350° F ( 175° C) .
6. Continue roasting for 30 minutes more, or until a meat thermometer reads 165° F ( 74° C) . Baste with the remaining glaze every 10 minutes .
7. Let it rest for 10- 15 minutes before carving. Ta-da!

Pro Tips: Christmas Poultry Recipes Secrets

Want to take this festive chicken recipe to the next level? Dry the chicken like crazy for crispy skin. Seriously, the dryer the better.

This simple trick will give you that Instagram worthy golden brown finish. The cranberry glaze can actually be made a day ahead.

How good is that! Talk about a make-ahead christmas main course option! The glaze gets even better over night.

Also, for the love of Christmas, use a meat thermometer. Nobody wants dry chicken on Christmas Day!

Honestly, this Christmas chicken dinner recipe is so straightforward. Even if you are not a pro cook you can do it.

What are you waiting for? Let's make those Christmas dreams a reality.

Right, let's dive into some extra bits and bobs for this Cranberry Glazed Chicken , my take on easy christmas main dishes .

Honestly, it’s easier than putting up the Christmas tree, I swear! So, here are a few thoughts and considerations.

Recipe Notes: Nailing That Festive Chicken Recipe

Okay, let's get those sorted, shall we? Think of me as your personal Santa, delivering the goods for SEO!

Plating Like a Pro

Presentation is key. Honestly, a pretty plate makes food taste even better! Think about arranging slices of the festive chicken recipe on a platter.

Garnish with extra rosemary sprigs. A spoonful of cranberry sauce is a good idea too. It’s visually stunning, and it tastes amazing!

Serving Suggestions: Sidekicks for Your Simple Christmas Main Dish

Roasties are a must! Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside. You know? Some buttery mashed potatoes would also do the trick.

For something green, try some sprouts. Or maybe green beans with almonds. And don't forget a nice bottle of something chilled.

A crisp white wine works great. Or even sparkling apple juice if you’re keeping it booze free.

Storage Tips: make-ahead Christmas Main Course, Sorted

Leftover chicken? Lucky you! Pop it in an airtight container. It'll keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.

You can also freeze the cooked chicken. Wrap it well. It’ll last for up to 2 months. Just make sure it’s properly defrosted.

And then reheat it in the oven. A low temperature helps. It stops it drying out.

Variations: Tweaking Your Holiday Chicken Recipe

Want to mix it up? No problem! If you’re avoiding gluten. Use a gluten-free Dijon mustard. And double check the maple syrup is pure.

For a spicier glaze. Add a pinch of chilli flakes. Or a dash of hot sauce. I once accidentally used honey instead of maple syrup.

It was still delicious. Just a little different!

Nutrition Basics: Goodness in Every Bite

This Christmas chicken dinner isn’t just delicious. It’s also packed with protein. That’s great for keeping you full. Cranberries are full of antioxidants.

So that's good for you. Obviously, this is a treat. But it’s a pretty balanced one. It contains some healthy fat from the olive oil.

Honestly, this recipe for cranberry glazed chicken is a winner. It's one of the easy christmas dinner ideas that will make you feel like a proper chef.

Give it a go. You won’t regret it! Happy cooking!