Ingredients
Scale
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking dish or rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together the orange juice, honey (or maple syrup), orange zest, and minced garlic to create the sauce/glaze.
- Step 3: Arrange the chicken thighs skin-side up in the prepared baking dish. Pour the orange glaze evenly over the chicken, ensuring the skin is coated. Sprinkle the dried cranberries around and over the chicken pieces.
- Step 4: Bake for 35 minutes. After 35 minutes, baste the chicken with the pan juices and move any submerged cranberries onto the chicken tops so they don't burn in the liquid.
- Step 5: Continue baking until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C), about 10-15 additional minutes. If desired, set the oven to broil for the final 2 minutes to crisp the skin, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Step 6: Remove the dish from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Spoon the sticky orange cranberry pan sauce over the chicken before plating.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making sure to include a spoonful of the sticky pan sauce to keep the meat moist.
- For the crispiest skin, make sure to thoroughly pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels before seasoning; this crucial step prevents steaming during the initial bake.
- Serve these flavorful thighs over a bed of fluffy wild rice or alongside roasted green beans tossed with toasted almonds to balance the sweetness of the glaze.
- To reheat gently, place the chicken thighs in a foil-covered dish and warm them in a 300°F (150°C) oven until just heated through, avoiding the microwave which can dry them out.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American