Elevate Dinner Tonight with Cranberry-Balsamic Chicken Thighs

Summary:

To complete this wholesome chicken dinner, start by cooking some farro before preparing the chicken. Pair it with steamed broccoli and enjoy alongside a glass of pinot noir.

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Lovely Recipes

Cranberry-Balsamic Chicken Thighs

Give your dinner a flavorful upgrade with our Cranberry-Balsamic Chicken Thighs recipe! Juicy chicken thighs are perfectly balanced with the sweet and tangy richness of cranberries and balsamic vinegar. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for cozy weeknights or impressing guests. Serve it with your favorite sides, and watch it become a new favorite!

Ingredient

  • 4 bone-in chicken thighs (about 1 1/2 pounds)

  • ½ teaspoon salt, divided

  • ¼ teaspoon pepper

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 ½ cups cranberries, thawed if frozen

  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar

  • 2 tablespoons honey

  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme, plus more for garnish

Directions

Step 1
Season the chicken with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Place the chicken skin-side down, reduce the heat to medium, and cook without moving until golden brown, approximately 7 minutes. Remove all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the skillet.

Step 2
Flip the chicken and add cranberries, vinegar, honey, and thyme to the skillet. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce to maintain a gentle simmer. Partially cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 12 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part (avoiding the bone) reads 165°F.

Step 3
Transfer the chicken to a serving dish. Turn the heat to high, stir in the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and cook the sauce uncovered, stirring, until it thickens, about 1 minute. Serve the chicken topped with the sauce.