Pin This festive Cherry-Coded Holiday Cranberry Chicken Sheet Pan dinner has transformed my holiday entertaining. The combination of tart cranberries, sweet cherries, and aromatic herbs creates a showstopping meal that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen, when really the oven does all the work.
I first created this recipe when I needed a special holiday meal but was too exhausted from gift shopping to spend hours cooking. My family was so impressed they requested it for our Christmas Eve tradition, and it's been our signature holiday dish ever since.
- Bone-in skin-on chicken thighs: The dark meat stays incredibly juicy during roasting and the skin gets wonderfully crispy. Look for thighs of similar size for even cooking.
- Fresh or frozen cranberries: These provide a perfect tart contrast to the sweet elements. If using frozen, no need to thaw first.
- Pitted sweet cherries: They caramelize beautifully in the oven, creating jammy pockets of sweetness. Dark sweet cherries work best for their rich flavor.
- Orange juice and zest: The citrus brightens the dish and balances the richness. Choose a juicy orange with fragrant skin for maximum flavor.
- Red onion wedges: These mellow and sweeten as they roast. Cut them into eighths so they cook at the same rate as the chicken.
- Fresh rosemary and thyme: These aromatic herbs infuse the dish with holiday flavor. Always opt for fresh rather than dried for this recipe.
- Maple syrup: Adds natural sweetness and helps create a beautiful glaze. Use pure maple syrup rather than pancake syrup for best results.
- Balsamic vinegar: Provides depth and tanginess to balance the sweet elements. An aged balsamic will give you the richest flavor.
- Warm spices: Cinnamon and allspice create that quintessential holiday aroma. Freshly ground spices will provide the most vibrant flavor.
- Prepare the Oven and Pan:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a large rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper. The high temperature ensures crispy chicken skin and caramelized fruits, while the parchment prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
- Create the Marinade:
- In a large bowl, combine orange juice, orange zest, olive oil, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, cinnamon, allspice, black pepper, and salt. Whisk thoroughly until emulsified. This marinade serves triple duty as a flavor base, tenderizer, and glaze.
- Marinate the Chicken:
- Add your chicken thighs to the marinade bowl, turning them several times to ensure complete coverage. Let them sit for 5 to 10 minutes while you prep other ingredients. This brief marination allows the flavors to begin penetrating the meat.
- Arrange the Sheet Pan:
- Scatter the red onion wedges, smashed garlic cloves, cranberries, and cherries evenly across your prepared sheet pan. Creating this base layer allows the fruit juices to mingle with the chicken drippings for incredible flavor development.
- Position the Chicken:
- Place your marinated chicken thighs skin side up on top of the fruit and vegetable mixture. Pour any remaining marinade over everything. The elevated position allows the skin to crisp beautifully while the underside soaks up the flavorful juices.
- Add Fresh Herbs:
- Sprinkle the chopped rosemary and thyme liberally over everything on the pan. The herbs will infuse the dish with their aromatic oils as they roast, creating that distinctive holiday scent throughout your kitchen.
- Roast to Perfection:
- Slide the sheet pan into your preheated oven and roast for 35 to 40 minutes. You want the chicken skin deeply golden and crisp, with an internal temperature of 165°F. The fruits should be soft and jammy, beginning to caramelize around the edges.
- Optional Broiling Finish:
- For extra crispy skin, switch your oven to broil for the final 2 to 3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning. This step creates restaurant quality presentation with minimal effort.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Transfer everything to a serving platter or individual plates, making sure to spoon the fruity pan juices over the chicken. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and orange slices for a professional presentation.
Pin The combination of cranberries and cherries is what makes this dish truly special. I discovered it by accident one year when I was short on cranberries and supplemented with cherries from the freezer. The cherries add a deeper sweetness that balances the cranberries' tartness perfectly, creating a complex flavor that tastes like it took hours to develop.
This chicken stores beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually continue to develop overnight, making it perhaps even more delicious the second day. To reheat, place in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes until warmed through. Avoid microwaving if possible as it will soften the crispy skin.
For meal prep purposes, you can assemble the entire sheet pan a day ahead, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Simply bring it to room temperature for about 20 minutes before baking. This makes it perfect for holiday entertaining when you want to spend time with guests instead of in the kitchen.
This recipe is wonderfully flexible and can accommodate what you have on hand. If cherries aren't available, you can use all cranberries or substitute dried cherries soaked in hot water for 15 minutes. For a different flavor profile, pomegranate arils make a beautiful and delicious alternative to cranberries.
Chicken breasts can replace thighs if preferred, though you may need to adjust cooking time to prevent drying out. For a vegetarian version, substitute thick slices of cauliflower steak or portobello mushrooms for the chicken, reducing cooking time to about 25 minutes.
The herbs can be varied according to preference. Sage works beautifully in place of or alongside rosemary and thyme. In summer months, basil and tarragon create a lighter flavor profile that pairs wonderfully with the cherries.
This holiday chicken truly shines when served with a starchy side to soak up the flavorful pan juices. Wild rice pilaf makes an elegant accompaniment, while creamy mashed potatoes provide comforting contrast to the fruity chicken.
For a complete holiday spread, serve alongside roasted green beans or a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette. The peppery greens provide a fresh counterpoint to the rich, sweet and savory chicken.
To elevate this dish for special occasions, consider serving it with a cranberry sauce spiked with orange liqueur or a cherry compote on the side. The additional fruit component amplifies the flavors in the dish and creates a restaurant worthy presentation.
Winter version: Incorporate seasonal citrus by adding segments of blood orange or cara cara oranges to the pan for the last 10 minutes of cooking
Summer rendition: Replace cranberries with blackberries and add lemon zest instead of orange for a lighter profile
Fall harvest variation: Add cubed butternut squash to the pan and substitute maple syrup with apple cider reduction
Pin Recipe Q&A
- → Can I use frozen cherries and cranberries?
Yes, both fresh and thawed frozen cherries or cranberries work well. Drain excess liquid if using thawed fruit to avoid sogginess.
- → What herbs pair best with this dish?
Rosemary and thyme complement the fruit and chicken flavors perfectly, adding a fragrant, festive note.
- → Can I substitute chicken breasts?
Bone-in chicken breasts can be used. Adjust cooking time as they may take slightly longer to cook through.
- → How do I get extra crispy skin?
Broil the pan for 2–3 minutes at the end of roasting to achieve extra crispy, golden chicken skin.
- → What side dishes complement this meal?
Serve with wild rice, mashed potatoes, or a simple green salad to round out the flavors and meal.
- → Is this dish suitable for special diets?
Yes, it's naturally gluten-free and contains no major allergens. Check labels on maple syrup and balsamic vinegar if sensitive.