Cranberry Chicken
Cranberry Chicken packs 37g protein and 456 calories per serving—close to a complete meal for anyone tracking a 180g+ daily protein target. Quick-preps 3 servings on the stovetop, giving you a midweek dinner that hits your macros without needing additional protein sources.
Ingredients
- •Chicken Thigh, Boneless Skinless(567g)
Boneless skinless thighs. Fattier than breast but more forgiving to cook.
- •1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- •1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- •Olive oil(30g)
Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.
- •Shallot(45g)
- •Cranberries(340g)
- •3/4 cup water
- •Vinegar, Apple Cider(80g)
- •Honey(15g)
- •Ginger, Fresh Root(4g)
- •1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- •Allspice, Ground(1g)
- •Thyme, Fresh(30g)
Instructions
- 1Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and place it on a plate or tray. Season with salt and pepper and let come to room temperature while you prepare the glaze.
- 2In a large, deep skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the shallot and sauté until fragrant and beginning to brown, about 2 minutes. Add the cranberries, water, cider vinegar, and honey. Cook until the berries soften and begin to lose their shape, 5-8 minutes. Stir often so that the berries cook on all sides and much of the liquid cooks away.
- 3Once soft, roughly smash the berries with the back of a wooden spoon so that they burst, then stir in the ginger, salt, and allspice. The mixture will be very thick. Transfer the cranberry glaze to a bowl.
- 4With a paper towel, carefully wipe the skillet clean, then heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot and shimmering, add the chicken thighs in a single layer, seasoning-side down. Let the chicken cook for 5-7 minutes undisturbed, until the first side is golden brown and does not stick to the pan. For the best browning, try not to move the chicken around in the pan as it cooks. Flip the chicken over, then cook it an additional 4-6 minutes, until the juices run clear and a meat thermometer inserted in the center reads 165 degrees F.
- 5Transfer the chicken to a serving plate and spoon the cranberry glaze over the top. Let rest 5 minutes, sprinkle with chopped fresh thyme, and serve with extra cranberry glaze for dipping.
Nutrition — Per Serving
456
calories
37g
protein
25g
fat
- Carbohydrates
- 23g
- Saturated fat
- 4.6g
- Sodium
- 125 mg
- Dietary fiber
- 6.1g
3 servings per batch · ~371g each
Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central
AI Swap Engine
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How much protein does Cranberry Chicken have per serving?
Each serving delivers 37g of protein and 456 calories with 25g fat and 23g carbs. This macro breakdown makes it a solid choice for hitting daily protein targets during a training week.
How long does Cranberry Chicken take to make?
This is a quick prep dinner recipe on the stovetop that yields 3 servings per batch. You can have this meal ready with minimal time investment for weeknight dinners or meal prep sessions.
Is Cranberry Chicken good for muscle gain?
At 37g protein and 456 calories per serving, cranberry chicken works well for muscle gain phases where calorie surplus and protein intake are both priorities. The balanced macros support recovery without excessive fat or carbs.
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