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No Spoon Necessary

Seasonal Recipes & Unique Twists on Classic Dishes

Cranberry Baked Chicken and Rice

Published December 5, 2019. Last Updated April 26, 2020 by Cheyanne

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This Cranberry Baked Chicken and Rice recipe is made in completely in the oven in just one pan! This juicy, tangy chicken with tart cranberries and fluffy rice is healthy, delicious and perfect for any occasion!Overhead photo of Baked Orange Cranberry Chicken & Rice in a white casserole dish garnished with orange slices and fresh thyme with a ramekin of cranberries, neutral linen, stack of plates, knife and carving fork arranged around the dish.

*Updated*

This post was originally published in December 2018. I edited the photos and updated the post below to include more information about cranberry baked chicken. Plus, I added a recipe video to show you how easy this chicken and rice is to make!

Hey guys!

Today we are skipping all formalities and small talk. Mostly because we are smack dab in the middle of the holiday season, which means life is crazy and time is precious, but also because I have something I need you to meet. Immediately.

See that photo above?! Say hello to your new favorite winter meal, my friends!

Seriously, dinner does not get any better than this chicken and rice!

Crazy easy to throw together, packed with flavor and utterly delicious, todays recipe is perfect for any and every occasion! Whether you serve this as a quick weeknight family dinner or to guests while entertaining, this cranberry chicken is sure to be a winner, winner chicken dinner!

Overhead photo of a small food processor bowl filled with the ingredients to make orange cranberry marinade - step 1 of the Baked Orange Cranberry Chicken & Rice recipe.

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

  • Cranberry Baked Chicken and Rice
    • What to serve with baked chicken and rice?
    • Is baked chicken and rice healthy?
    • How to bake chicken and rice together?
      • How long to bake chicken and rice?
    • How to bake chicken and rice?
      • Tips for the best baked chicken and rice:
    • Baked Chicken & Rice
      • Equipment
      • Ingredients
        • Marinade:
        • Optional for serving: Fresh thyme, Fresh Rosemary, Orange Slices
      • Instructions
      • Video
      • Notes
      • Nutrition
      • You Might Also Like…

Cranberry Baked Chicken and Rice

Tender, juicy, moist cranberry and orange marinated chicken thighs baked with fluffy, nutty basmati rice studded with aromatic onions and fragrant garlic.

Strewn with juicy, tart balsamic glazed cranberries and garnished with bright orange slices and earthy thyme, this is not your average, run of the mill chicken with rice!Overhead photo of skinless chicken thighs soaked with an orange cranberry marinade in a large glass bowl - step 2 of the Baked Orange Cranberry Chicken & Rice recipe.

What to serve with baked chicken and rice?

This easy chicken and rice recipe is baked and served with long-grained rice. While I used basamati rice, you can use any variety of long-grained rice you would like!

Looking to serve something alongside this baked chicken and rice dish? Here are some delicious side options:

  • Roasted vegetables (brussels sprouts, butternut squash, carrots or cauliflower are my favorite pairings)
  • Autumn or winter salad
  • Potatoes (roasted, baked or mashed)
  • Light soup

Angled photo of a white wine being poured into a white casserole dish filled with rice, baked diced onions, minced garlic, salt and pepper - step 5 of the Baked Orange Cranberry Chicken & Rice recipe.

Is baked chicken and rice healthy?

Yes, this baked chicken with rice is healthy!

While the recipe does utilize chicken thighs, the skin is removed prior to cooking to keep this dish high in protein and low in unnecessary fats. If you are looking to make the chicken portion of this dish even healthier, you can substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but you will need to reduce the cooking time.

As well, this baked chicken and rice calls for basmati rice which is high in fiber and significantly lower in saturated fats than other types of rice, making it diet-friendly.

And, if all that health wasn’t enough, this chicken and rice is served with super food cranberries! Cranberries are low in calories and packed with disease-fighting antioxidants.

Unlike so many other recipes for chicken and rice casserole, this is a dish you can feel good about eating!Overhead photo of a white casserole dish filled with marinated chicken, rice, liquid, diced onions, minced garlic, salt and pepper prior to baking - step 6 of the Baked Orange Cranberry Chicken & Rice recipe.

How to bake chicken and rice together?

Baking chicken and rice together in one pan is super simple and a great option for hectic, busy weeknight dinners!

To cook chicken and rice together, first lightly brown the diced garlic and onion right in the casserole dish in the oven. Next, add the rice and liquids and place the chicken on top of the rice. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and continue to bake until the chicken is fully cooked and the liquid is absorbed.

Voilà! Fluffy rice and succulent chicken!

How long to bake chicken and rice?

Chicken and rice take approximately 55 minutes to bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F (or 180 degrees C).

If you are baking chicken thighs and rice, both will take the full 55 minutes. If you are baking chicken breasts and rice, you will need to bake the rice partially first (for 30 minutes), then add the chicken and continue to bake 20-25 minutes.Overhead photo of brown sugar and fresh cranberries drizzled with balsamic vinegar in a small glass bowl - step 7 of the Baked Orange Cranberry Chicken & Rice recipe.

How to bake chicken and rice?

This easy chicken and rice is made in one pan and incredibly simple to prepare!

  1. Make the marinade: In the bowl of a food processor or blender, add all of the ingredients for the marinade along with 2 cloves of garlic (whole, peeled) and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Blend until combined and smooth.
  2. Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken to a large zip-closure bag or large mixing bowl. Pour the marinade over the chicken, tossing to evenly coat the chicken. Transfer the chicken to the refrigerator and allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
  3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a large (10×13-inch) baking dish.
  4. Bake the onions and garlic:  Add the onions and minced garlic to the prepared baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until onions are softened and translucent in color.
  5. Add rice and liquid:  Remove baking dish from the oven and add the rice. Stir to combine. Pour the broth, water and wine evenly over the rice. Remove the chicken from the marinade and place on top of the rice.
  6. Cover and bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
  7. Meanwhile marinate cranberries: In a small bowl, toss together the cranberries, sugar and balsamic. Set aside
  8. Remove foil and add cranberries: Remove foil from baking dish and spray the top of the chicken with cooking spray. Use a slotted spoon to sprinkle cranberries over the chicken. Return to the oven and continue to bake (uncovered) for 22-28 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed. (OPTIONAL – Switch oven to broil during the last 3-4 minutes of baking. Making sure to watch the chicken closely to prevent burning.). Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
  9. To serve: Transfer chicken to serving plates and use a fork to fluff rice in baking dish before serving. Garnish as desired and serve. Enjoy!

How to make chicken and rice bake step by step photos:

Tips for the best baked chicken and rice:

  1. This baked chicken and rice recipe calls for bone-in and skin-off chicken thighs. You can either ask the butcher to peel the skin off the chicken thighs for you, or do it yourself as it is really easy! You need to remove the skin from the thighs for this recipe or the rice will become very greasy.
  2. You can substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs if you would like, however you will need to alter the cook time slightly by partially baking the rice before adding the chicken. I have included instructions in the notes section of the recipe below.
  3. The chicken has the most flavor if allowed to sit in the orange cranberry marinade overnight, however you can get away with marinating the chicken for as little as 30 minutes.
  4. While I used basmati rice for this dish, you can use any variety of long grain rice.Overhead photo of Baked Orange Cranberry Chicken & Rice on a white plate with a pair of hands holding a knife and fork off to the sides of the plate.

What are you waiting for?! Add this easy Chicken and Rice bake to your winter dinner rotation post haste!

Until next week friends, cheers – to next level chicken and rice!

XOXO

Cheyanne

 

Craving MORE? Follow all the deliciousness on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram!

 

More easy chicken recipes:

Slow Cooker Beer Chicken

Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

Balsamic Fig Glazed Chicken

 

The best Cranberry Baked Chicken & Rice recipe plus step by step video👇

Print Recipe
5 from 11 votes

Baked Chicken & Rice

This Orange Cranberry Baked Chicken & Rice is made in entirely in the oven in just one pan!  This juicy, tangy chicken with tart cranberries and fluffy rice is healthy, delicious and perfect for any occasion!
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time1 hr 5 mins
Total Time1 hr 20 mins
Course: entree
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baked, chicken, cranberry, Easy, one pan, orange, rice
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 504kcal
Author: Cheyanne Holzworth

Equipment

  • Food Processor or Stand Blender
  • Large Bowl or Zip-Closure Bag
  • 10x13-inch Baking Dish
  • Aluminum Foil

Ingredients

  • 6 Chicken Thighs - Bone In & Skin Off (SEE NOTES)
  • 1 Sweet Onion - Diced
  • 4 large cloves Garlic divided – 2 cloves finely diced & 2 peeled, whole
  • 2 TBS Olive Oil
  • 1 ½ Cups Basamati Rice
  • 1 ½ Cup Reduced-Sodium Chicken Broth
  • 1 Cup Hot Water
  • ¼ Cup White Wine - OPTIONAL, or use hot water
  • 1 ¼ Cup fresh Cranberries
  • 2 TBS Brown Sugar - packed (I used light brown sugar)
  • 2 TBS Balsamic Vinegar
  • Kosher Salt & Ground Black Pepper

Marinade:

  • 1/2 Cup Cranberries
  • 3 TBS Honey
  • 2 1/2 TBS Olive Oil
  • 1 Orange Zest
  • 1 tsp Dried Thyme
  • ½ tsp Dried Rosemary

Optional for serving: Fresh thyme, Fresh Rosemary, Orange Slices

    Instructions

    • Make the marinade: In the bowl of a food processor or blender, add all the marinade ingredients along with 2 cloves of garlic (whole, peeled) and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Blend until combined and smooth.
    • Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken to a large zip-closure bag or large mixing bowl. Pour the marinade over the chicken, tossing to evenly coat the chicken. Transfer the chicken to the refrigerator and allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a large (10x13-inch) baking dish.
    • Bake the onions and garlic:  Add the onions and minced garlic to the prepared baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until onions are softened and translucent in color.
    • Add rice and liquid:  Remove baking dish from the oven and add the rice. Stir to combine. Pour the broth, water and wine evenly over the rice. Remove the chicken from the marinade and place on top of the rice.
    • Cover and bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
    • Meanwhile marinate cranberries: In a small bowl, toss together the cranberries, sugar and balsamic. Set aside
    • Remove foil and add cranberries: Remove foil from baking dish and spray the top of the chicken with cooking spray. Use a slotted spoon to sprinkle cranberries over the chicken. Return to the oven and continue to bake (uncovered) for 22-28 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed. (OPTIONAL – Switch oven to broil during the last 3-4 minutes of baking. Making sure to watch the chicken closely to prevent burning.). Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
    • To serve: Transfer chicken to serving plates and use a fork to fluff rice in baking dish before serving. Garnish as desired and serve. Enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    1. This baked chicken and rice recipe calls for bone-in and skin-off chicken thighs.  You can either ask the butcher to peel the skin off the chicken thighs for you, or do it yourself as it is really easy!  You need to remove the skin from the thighs for this recipe or the rice will become very greasy.
    2. You can substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs if you would like, however you will need to alter the cook time slightly.  Follow the recipe instructions cooking the onions and garlic and then add the rice and liquids.  Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.  Remove pan from oven and discard the foil.  Top the partially baked rice with the chicken and bake (uncovered) for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the liquid is absorbed.
    3. The chicken has the most flavor if allowed to sit in the orange cranberry marinade overnight, however you can get away with marinating the chicken for as little as 30 minutes.
    4. While I used basamati rice for this dish, you can use any variety of long grain rice.
    Recipe Serves:  4-6 people
    Nutritional Information is an approximation and based upon 6 servings.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 504kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 130mg | Potassium: 542mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 48IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 2mg

    ©No Spoon Necessary.  All images and content are copyright protected. Please do not use any images without prior permission. Please do not republish this recipe without prior consent. If you want to reference this recipe, please do so by linking directly to this post.

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    Comments

    1. Kelly | Foodtasia says

      December 8, 2019 at 6:05 am

      5 stars
      Chey, what an easy and incredibly delicious chicken dinner! Can’t beat one pan dinners in this busy season. I so love the flavors with the herbs, cranberry, and orange!

      Reply
    2. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

      December 6, 2019 at 10:46 am

      5 stars
      I remember this one Chey! All that deliciousness in just one dish! So cozy for winter. Such a great use of cranberries! Love the new video too!

      Reply
    3. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says

      December 5, 2019 at 9:57 am

      Cranberries are my FAVE this time of year! And it’s hard to go wrong with a one pan meal. This sounds awesome, Chey! I’m adding it to my dinner rotation now!

      Reply
    4. Linda says

      January 29, 2019 at 6:56 am

      This cranberry-chicken-rice dish looks fabulous! Can’t wait to make it. You’ve got a lot of very lovely recipes on your blog. I’ll be a frequent visitor!

      Reply
    5. Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says

      December 15, 2018 at 10:45 am

      5 stars
      An absolutely perfect dinner for this time of year! Loving the combination of flavours and textures and cranberry anything is always a winner in my books 🙂

      Reply
    6. Marissa says

      December 14, 2018 at 4:09 pm

      5 stars
      Well this sounds amazing and just right for the house full of company we have coming for the holidays. Yum!! Thank you for the inspiration!!

      Reply
    7. Kevin says

      December 14, 2018 at 12:06 pm

      5 stars
      That marinade is one of a kind! What a great recipe to ‘go outside the box’ if you want fancy up good old chicken thighs!

      Reply
    8. SHASHI AT SAVORYSPIN says

      December 14, 2018 at 10:28 am

      5 stars
      Cheyanne, that herby, orange, cranberry marinade sounds killer! Not only is this one easy, tasty dinner – but it’s so so festive too! GORGEOUS photos!

      Reply
    9. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

      December 13, 2018 at 1:07 pm

      5 stars
      What a delicious combination Chey! And so festive looking for the holiday season too. And a one dish meal during the holidays? Best present ever! Pinned and can’t wait to give it a try!

      Reply
    10. Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says

      December 13, 2018 at 12:33 pm

      5 stars
      I can see why this is your new favorite, Cheyanne – easy, healthy, colorful and delicious – just what we all need with the hectic days counting down to the holidays. One pan meals are the best!

      Reply
    11. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says

      December 13, 2018 at 10:03 am

      5 stars
      Cranberries really don’t make it into savory dishes enough do they? This sounds AWESOME! I’ll gladly eat cranberries with every meal all year long. LOVE THEM and love this! Have a great weekend, Chey!

      Reply
    12. Danielle Wolter says

      December 13, 2018 at 8:05 am

      5 stars
      Oh my this sounds so delicious Cheyanne! I love one pot meals and the flavors in this sound absolutely incredible. Perfect for the holidays 🙂

      Reply
    13. angiesrecipes says

      December 13, 2018 at 6:07 am

      What a fantastic one pan meal! Why didn’t I think of making rice this way…must be very yummy and flavourful after soaking up all the free run juice from meat.

      Reply
    14. Ben|Havocinthekitchen says

      December 13, 2018 at 5:17 am

      5 stars
      “Alice – Pudding. Pudding – Alice” (c). “Ben – Cranberry Chicken. Cranberry Chicken – Ben”. Nice too meet you. Indeed, that’s a fantastic idea, Chey! You know my love for sweet&salty&savoury&tart combinations and while I’ve combined chicken with many things from plums to rhubarb, I don’t think I’ve ever used cranberries. That’s delicious, beautiful, and most importantly, this recipe absolutely makes sence this season. Well done!

      Reply

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    About me

    Welcome to No Spoon Necessary! My name is Cheyanne - I am the blogger and girl behind the camera. I'm a culinary school graduate with a degree in culinary arts, and I have years of experience in a professional kitchen. I have a passion for seasonal ingredients and I believe anyone can create sensational food! Thank you for stopping by! I hope you stay awhile!

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