Description
This Honey Cranberry Chicken Bake with Goat Cheese is pure comfort wrapped in elegance — tender golden chicken baked in a luscious glaze of honey, garlic, and tart cranberries, then finished with creamy goat cheese that melts just slightly into every bite. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy, coming together in a cozy, restaurant-quality dish you can make right at home. Whether you’re cooking for family or treating yourself to a beautiful dinner, this recipe delivers big flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup fresh or dried cranberries
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil.
Season the chicken on both sides with salt, black pepper, thyme, and paprika.
Sear the chicken in a skillet with olive oil over medium heat for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
In a small bowl, mix cranberries, honey, balsamic vinegar, and minced garlic until combined.
Spoon the cranberry mixture evenly over the chicken breasts.
Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C).
Remove from the oven and sprinkle crumbled goat cheese over the top. Let it soften and melt slightly into the warm chicken.
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving. Serve warm and enjoy every juicy, sweet-tart bite!
Notes
For extra flavor, use fresh cranberries when in season — their natural tartness makes the honey glaze shine.
If using dried cranberries, soak them in warm water for 5 minutes before baking for a juicier texture.
Try adding a few orange zest shavings to the glaze for a bright citrus twist.
This recipe pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables, garlic mashed potatoes, or a simple couscous salad.
Leftovers? Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days — the flavors deepen beautifully overnight.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American, Mediterranean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (¼ of recipe)
- Calories: 385 kcal
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 115mg