Cranberry Balsamic Chicken is Something I Can Never Get Enough Of!

Delight your taste buds with the tantalizing flavors of Cranberry Balsamic Chicken—a delectable dish that’s not only easy to prepare but also perfect for any occasion. Paired with roasted asparagus, this culinary masterpiece promises an effortless yet delicious meal.

How to Make Cranberry Balsamic Chicken

Begin by marinating six boneless, skinless chicken thighs in a savory blend of 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon honey, salt, and pepper. Whether you marinate for 30 minutes or overnight, the result is an irresistible infusion of flavors that sets the stage for an unforgettable meal.

Slice a whole red onion and place it on a sheet pan with olive oil. Nestle the marinated chicken over the onions, ensuring every inch is bathed in the balsamic goodness. Add frozen or fresh cranberries for a burst of color and flavor, and a sprinkle of tarragon for a festive touch. Roast it all at 425°F for 25 minutes, creating a succulent and juicy chicken that’s sure to be the star of your dinner table.

What I love About This Recipe

I especially love how a marinade can really transform ordinary chicken. The balsamic with honey makes all the difference in this meal. It takes only about 10 minutes to marinade the chicken and then once you’re ready to cook, the meal only takes 30 minutes and you have an absolutely beautiful dinner for your table.

What To Serve With Cranberry Balsamic Chicken

When I serve this I like to make up a simple boxed quinoa or rice pilaf. I’d also recommend any one of these delicious rice dishes to accompany the meal:

• Janet’s Spinach Rice (This is my mother-in-laws famous dish)
• French Onion Rice (use that package of Lipton soup mix in the cabinet)
• Or try a simple Mashed Potato

For a vegetable, this Roasted Asparagus pairs really well with this Cranberry Balsamic Chicken. I also think that green beans would be a great addition:

• Slow Cooker Green Beans and Bacon
• Grandma’s Green Beans

Make it Healthier:

I’m always looking for new ways to add veggies to my dishes. Here are some ideas to add more nutrients to this dish:

• Serve this dish with cauliflower rice instead of a carbohydrate.
• If you aren’t into cauliflower rice, ancient grains, such as quinoa, are a good idea too.
• I highly recommend serving this with the Roasted Asparagus mentioned above but adding any veggie side will automatically make this meal healthier!

Make it Kid Friendly:

I always recommend you adjust recipes based on what your family likes. If your kids or even other family members are weary of this dish here are some swap recommendations to get them trying new things without serving a completely different dish:

• Offer a familiar dipping sauce such as ranch dressing or ketchup
• Choose a vegetable side that your kids like. It’s great to try new things but if there is one or a few veggie sides you know they enjoy, rotate those best you can to ensure optimal nutrition. 
• Cook the meal with the tarragon greens but remove them when you plate the dish for picky eaters.
• Don’t forget the Parmesan cheese! I feel like my kids will eat almost anything, if I put Parmesan cheese on it. 

Swap Ideas:

• You can easily swap out chicken thighs for thin sliced chicken breasts or even salmon depending on what you have.
• You can also use bone in chicken thighs, just pull the skin off before marinating. Cook for an extra 20 minutes to start then add the cranberries, onion, and tarragon and cook according to the recipe.
• If you don’t have red onion, try yellow or white onion! If you don’t have onion, no worries, this dish will still be delicious!
• No cranberries? No problem, just make up the dish without them. It’ll be a little different but the marinade speaks for itself and the chicken will still be delicious.
• Dried tarragon can always be swapped for fresh, just give it a sprinkle before the chicken goes in the oven.

Shopping Tips:

• Stock up on your favorite meats when they go on sale and freeze them. In this case, boneless skinless chicken thighs are what you’re looking for.
• If you don’t have anything in your freezer and boneless thighs are not on sale, opt for bone in or chicken breasts (per the swaps above), if they are less expensive.
• Stock up on couscous or rice pilaf packages when they go on sale. I like to do this when they are less than $1.
• If you have extra cranberries after Thanksgiving, consider freezing them and using them in this recipe! Or, if you have leftover cranberries after making this recipe, consider freezing them for the next time you make it!

As always, please share your own recommendations on how to make this dish healthier, more kid friendly, swap ideas, and budget shopping tips in the comments!

FOR MORE INEXPENSIVE FAMILY RECIPES CHECK OUT THESE VIDEOS:

• 3 Delicious Pantry Friendly Meals
• 105 Meals for $115 – Feeding My Family For a week
• The Top 10 Secrets to saving big on food!

MORE WEEKNIGHT RECIPES TO TRY:

• Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes
• Cheesy Tortellini Bake(My Kids LOVE THIS!)
• Rotisserie Chicken Enchiladas! (These are SO EASY!)

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