Honey Cranberry Chicken Bake with Ricotta Cheese Recipe
This Honey Cranberry Chicken Bake with Ricotta Cheese is a flavorful and easy dinner recipe that combines tender seared chicken breasts with a sweet and tangy honey-balsamic cranberry topping, creamy ricotta, and optional crunchy pecans. Ready in 40 minutes, it’s perfect for a comforting weeknight meal with a gourmet twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Topping
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional for crunch)
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season them evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme to build flavorful layers.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear each chicken breast for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they develop a light golden crust, locking in moisture and flavor. Then transfer the seared chicken to the baking dish.
- Prepare honey-balsamic glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together honey and balsamic vinegar until well combined. Pour this sweet and tangy mixture evenly over the chicken breasts in the baking dish.
- Add cranberries: Sprinkle fresh or frozen cranberries evenly over the chicken to add bursts of tartness and color.
- Spoon ricotta cheese: Dollop the ricotta cheese over each chicken breast to create creamy pockets that will melt slightly during baking.
- Bake the chicken: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cranberries begin to caramelize slightly.
- Add toasted pecans (optional): If using pecans, sprinkle them over the chicken during the last 5 minutes of baking to toast and add crunchy texture.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from oven, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve hot for a deliciously balanced dinner.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh cranberries with frozen if fresh are not available; no need to thaw before adding.
- Ensure chicken breasts are of even thickness for uniform cooking; pound lightly if needed.
- Use part-skim ricotta for a lighter option or full-fat ricotta for creamier texture.
- If you prefer a sweeter glaze, add an extra tablespoon of honey.
- For a nut-free version, omit the pecans entirely.
Keywords: chicken bake, honey cranberry chicken, ricotta cheese chicken, easy dinner, baked chicken recipe, cranberry chicken, healthy chicken dinner
