Description
Honey Cranberry Chicken Bake with Feta Cheese is a flavorful and easy oven-baked chicken dish featuring a sweet and tangy honey-balsamic glaze, tart cranberries, and creamy feta cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights or holiday meals, this recipe combines simple ingredients to create a deliciously impressive dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Honey-Balsamic Glaze
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp dried thyme or rosemary
Toppings
- 1 cup fresh or dried cranberries
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Season Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and black pepper evenly.
- Make the Glaze: In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, balsamic vinegar, and dried thyme or rosemary until well combined to create the sweet and tangy glaze.
- Assemble the Bake: Arrange the seasoned chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Pour the honey-balsamic glaze evenly over the chicken and scatter the fresh or dried cranberries on top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook through and flavors to meld.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15–20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Add Feta Cheese: Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the top of the chicken and return the dish to the oven for 5 minutes to soften the cheese slightly.
- Optional Broil: For a lightly golden finish, broil the chicken for 2–3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Fresh cranberries add a tart contrast, while dried cranberries provide a sweeter flavor.
- If chicken breasts are thick, consider pounding them slightly to ensure even cooking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For extra sauce, simmer the pan juices on the stovetop for 3–4 minutes to thicken before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: honey chicken, cranberry chicken bake, feta cheese chicken, baked chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, holiday chicken dish, sweet and savory chicken
