Description
An elegant yet easy dish featuring juicy, bone-in chicken roasted alongside sweet apples, tart cranberries, and fresh autumn herbs. As the chicken roasts, its savory juices merge with the fruit to create a naturally caramelized, sweet-and-savory pan glaze that elevates weeknight dinners and holiday feasts alike.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
2.5 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or breasts
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
Pinch of ground cinnamon (optional)
For the Apple & Cranberry Mixture:
2 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), cored and sliced into wedges
1 cup fresh cranberries (or frozen, thawed)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp maple syrup or honey
Instructions
Prep Equipment & Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a large roasting pan or baking sheet.
Season Chicken: Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels to ensure a crispy skin. In a small bowl, combine melted butter, 1 tbsp olive oil, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper, and cinnamon. Rub evenly over the chicken.
Toss Fruit: In a separate bowl, toss apple wedges and cranberries with 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey.
Assemble: Arrange seasoned chicken skin-side up in the roasting pan. Scatter the apple and cranberry mixture around and underneath the chicken pieces.
Roast: Bake for 35–45 minutes (35–40 mins for breasts, 40–45 mins for thighs) until the skin is golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Broil (Optional): Broil on high for 2–3 minutes at the end of roasting for extra-crispy chicken skin.
Rest & Serve: Let rest for 5–10 minutes. Spoon roasted apples, cranberries, and pan juices over the chicken, then garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs.
Notes
Chicken Cuts: Bone-in, skin-on cuts yield the juiciest results and prevent drying. If using boneless cuts, reduce roasting time by 10–15 minutes.
Apple Varieties: Granny Smith apples add a lovely tart balance, while Honeycrisp or Gala provide a sweeter profile.
Fruit Variations: Pears, fresh figs, or dried cherries make excellent additions or substitutes for apples.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days (keep fruit separate from chicken to maintain texture).
Pan Sauce: Deglaze the roasting pan with a splash of chicken broth or white wine over medium heat on the stovetop to make an extra rich gravy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course / Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 390 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
Keywords: apple cranberry roasted chicken, roasted chicken thighs, autumn roasted chicken, holiday chicken recipe, sweet and savory chicken