Cranberry Walnut Chicken Thighs

Tender juicy chicken thighs braised with herbs and spices for delightfully crispy skin and simmered with red wine, walnuts, fresh cranberries and herbs for a rich, tart sauce perfect for the holidays.

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword chicken thighs, cranberry chicken recipes, cranberry walnut chicken thighs, one pan chicken

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 50

Total Time 1

Servings servings

Calories 1068kcal

Author Lauren

Ingredients

4 pounds chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on about 6 to 7 pieces
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
4 sprigs fresh thyme
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
½ cup dry red wine
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoon unsalted butter
¼ cup chicken stock
⅓ cup walnuts whole, raw
½ cup fresh cranberries
3 cloves garlic

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Remove the chicken thighs from package and pat dry with paper towels.
Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper, resting on the plate skin side up. Sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves.
Heat a large, oven safe sauté pan or cast iron skillet over high heat. Add the olive oil and heat until it is shiny and hot. Braise the chicken thighs skin side down until the skin is golden brown and crispy, about 8 to 10 minutes. Turn thighs over and let braise on the other side for 2 minutes.
Remove the pan from heat. Transfer chicken thighs to a plate. Carefully remove almost all of the grease from the pan to a heat proof bowl.
Return the pan to medium high heat and deglaze the pan with red wine. Cook for 1 minutes then stir in the balsamic vinegar, chicken stock, unsalted butter to the sauce. Sprinkle walnuts, cranberries, and garlic around the pan between the chicken thighs.
Slide the chicken thighs and any juices back to the pan. Place the pan in the oven and finish cooking at 375°F for 20 to 25 minutes.

Notes

If you prefer a thicker, gravy style sauce: stir 2 teaspoons of corn starch into 1 to 1 ½ tablespoons water. With the sauce simmering on low heat, slowly stir in the cornstarch mixture and whisk together for 1 to 2 minutes until it begins to thicken.

Nutrition