This Christmas Chicken recipe is going to win your hearts this holiday season, thanks to the juicy and tender chicken thighs that are marinated and then baked to perfection!
You won’t find a better Christmas dinner recipe on the internet since this chicken recipe is going to not only wow your guests but satisfy their cravings completely! It’s the perfect addition to your holiday table giving it the perfect festive feel.
What’s best is that not only is the chicken juicy and tender on the inside but it’s also packed with flavor in each bite! It’s the perfect Christmas lunch option and is unique and different from the usual lemon butter chicken we’ve all had dozens of times!
I’m sure when you try this recipe once, you’ll want to make it again and again! Want to learn how to make this delicious Christmas Chicken? Then keep on reading!
Table of Contents
- What is a Christmas Chicken?
- What Makes This Christmas Chicken Recipe Special?
- What You Need to Make Christmas Chicken at Home
- How to Make Christmas Chicken (Step-by-Step)
- How to Store Leftover Christmas Chicken
- More Chicken Recipes You'll Love
- Recipe Card
- Easiest Christmas Chicken (The Best Holiday Chicken Recipe!)
- Comments
What is a Christmas Chicken?
Christmas Chicken is the classic chicken main dish that is served during Christmas lunch or Christmas dinner.
It’s usually served as a whole chicken for a Christmas roast chicken, but I’ve used delicious chicken thighs in this recipe to give you a juicier and more tender chicken meal.
This recipe is versatile enough that you can still use it for whole chicken after removing the giblets, or maybe even some drumsticks!
Regardless of how you choose to make this recipe, you’re going to fall in love with it!
What Makes This Christmas Chicken Recipe Special?
The recipe is super easy and quick enough to make on any given day.
Simply marinate the thighs the night before and all you’ll have left to do is bake it for dinner, or any other special occasion or event. The secret to the tenderness and flavor of meal prep all lies in the marinating step!
At the same time, it is a huge time saver when it comes to a quick, but quality dinner. Plan your meals ahead and do as much preparation ahead of time as you possibly can. Enjoy the delicious dish with less time spent cooking!
Plus, this Christmas Chicken recipe features unique yet festive flavors that are better than the usual lemon butter-flavored chicken we’ve all had dozens of times.
So, try this recipe and I promise you won’t be disappointed!
What You Need to Make Christmas Chicken at Home
Making this delicious festive chicken requires the most basic ingredients! Here’s what you’ll need to make it at home:
- Chicken: We’ll be using some chicken thighs to make this delicious chicken juicy and tender, and it’s way better than using chicken breast. But you can also use a whole chicken after removing the giblets from the chicken’s cavity and washing it completely. Make sure to pat it dry with a kitchen towel before using it in this recipe.
Olive oil: We’ll also need some olive oil to drizzle over our chicken which will give it a delicious texture on the outside and also allow the seasoning and spices to cover the chicken properly.
Seasonings: You’ll also need some salt and black pepper to get the perfect level of seasoning and flavor in this delicious chicken dinner recipe.
Ground cumin: We’ll also use some ground cumin that will add rich, earthy, and warm flavor to the chicken and bring everything together.
Smoked paprika: For that slightly smoky flavor, we’ll be using some smoked paprika in this recipe.
Mrs. Dash seasoning: This is another great seasoning mix that I highly recommend! It’s a great combination of lemon powder, black pepper, mustard, other spices, and dried fresh herbs such as thyme, oregano, marjoram, and rosemary.
Garlic powder: To enhance the flavor of all the other spices, we’ll also be using some garlic powder in our chicken marinade.
Cayenne pepper: For an extra kick of spice, we’ll be adding some cayenne pepper to this delicious Christmas chicken dinner recipe.
Fresh rosemary: We’ll also be adding some fresh rosemary on top before baking the chicken to get the most delicious aroma and flavor in our chicken.
Fresh cranberries: You’ll also need some fresh cranberries to add alongside the rosemary to get a delicious juicy flavor in the chicken as it bakes.
Green onions: We’ll add some chopped green onions on top too for a slightly sharp flavor that perfectly contrasts the cranberries and rosemary.
How to Make Christmas Chicken (Step-by-Step)
Making this Christmas favorite is easier than you think! Here’s what you need to do to make it step by step:
Start by preheating the oven to 425 F (218 C).
Next, measure out all dry ingredients and place them into a small bowl. Mix them well to combine. You should have roughly 2 tbsp. of seasoning mix.
Next, cut off the excess skin from the thighs, then rinse and place into a strainer for the water to drip off. Pat the chicken dry with a kitchen towel and transfer the thighs into a large glass bowl and sprinkle with prepared seasoning.
Drizzle oil over the chicken thighs, mix to coat, and then cover the bowl with a lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Before placing marinated thighs onto a baking sheet mix them once more for them to coat with seasoning and oil. Transfer thighs onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Next, sprinkle the thighs with fresh cranberries and green onions, and spread out rosemary vines in the pan.
Bake chicken thighs in preheated oven to 425 F (218 C) for 25 to 30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165F or 72C according to a meat thermometer.
Then remove from the oven and allow it to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Your delicious Christmas Chicken is ready to be served! Serve it with some mixed vegetables, rice, or even your favorite pasta!
Decorate the chicken thighs platter with fresh cranberries, green onions, and fresh rosemary before serving. This chicken reheats well and is great for the lunch box.
How to Store Leftover Christmas Chicken
Leftovers can easily be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can also freeze your chicken for up to 1 month! Allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight before warming it up in the oven before serving.
Decorate chicken thighs platter with fresh cranberries, green onions, and fresh rosemary before serving. This chicken reheats well and is great for the lunch box.
More Chicken Recipes You'll Love
- Crusted Parmesan Chicken Breast
- Grilled Marinated Chicken Thighs
- Instant Pot Pulled BBQ Chicken
- Teriyaki Glazed Chicken Wings
- BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
- Tasty Chicken Fritters
Looking for more Christmas recipes? Click HERE to see more deliciousness!
Recipe Card
Easiest Christmas Chicken (The Best Holiday Chicken Recipe!)
Ingredients
Rosemary Cranberry Baked Chicken Thighs Ingredients
- 9 – chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp. - Mrs. Dash Seasoning
- 2 tsp. – sea salt
- ½ tsp. – garlic powder
- ¼ tsp. – cumin
- ¼ tsp. – smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp. – black ground pepper
- ¼ tsp. – cayenne pepper or to taste
- 3 tbsp. – olive oil
Instructions
How to Make Christmas Chicken
- Making this Christmas favorite is easier than you think! Here’s what you need to do to make it step by step:
- Start by preheating the oven to 425 F (218 C).
- Next, measure out all dry ingredients and place them into a small bowl. Mix them well to combine. You should have roughly 2 tbsp. of seasoning mix.
- Next, cut off the excess skin from the thighs, then rinse and place into a strainer for the water to drip off. Pat the chicken dry with a kitchen towel and transfer the thighs into a large glass bowl and sprinkle with prepared seasoning.
- Drizzle oil over the chicken thighs, mix to coat, and then cover the bowl with a lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Before placing marinated thighs onto a baking sheet mix them once more for them to coat with seasoning and oil. Transfer thighs onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Next, sprinkle the thighs with fresh cranberries and green onions, and spread out rosemary vines in the pan.
- Bake chicken thighs in preheated oven to 425 F (218 C) for 25 to 30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165F or 72C according to a meat thermometer.
- Then remove from the oven and allow it to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
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jessica says
Can I use chicken tenderloin instead of thighs? Thanks
Valya of Valya's Taste of Home says
Yes, you may.
Kate says
Hi Valya, are these boneless chicken thighs ?
Valya of Valya's Taste of Home says
No, these are bone-in chicken thighs.
Kate says
I made these for the holidays and we really enjoyed them ❤️ They were flavorful and juicy. Thank you for sharing this recipe with us!
Valya of Valya's Taste of Home says
I'm so delighted to hear that you enjoyed it! Thank you for coming back and leaving an amazing review! 🙂