• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Pure and Simple Nourishment

  • About
    • Meet Dr. Erin Carter
    • My Food Philosophy
    • Press and Publications
    • Contact
  • Free Resources
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Main Course
    • Dessert
    • Sauces and Dips
    • Side Dish
    • Drinks
    • Vegetables
    • Snack
    • Meat and Fish
    • Recipe Wrap-Ups
    • SCD
    • GAPS
    • Whole30
    • AIP
    • Vegan
    • Paleo
    • Dairy-Free
    • Gluten-Free
    • Low FODMAP
    • Refined-Sugar-Free
  • Health
    • Health Information
    • Book Club
  • Nutrition
  • Beauty
    • Beautycounter
    • Skin Care
  • Fitness
    • Fitness Information
    • Weekly Workouts
  • Favorites
    • Books
    • Tools
    • Food
    • Skincare
  • My Books
    • Healthy Living 101
    • Pure and Simple Paleo Desserts
    • The Complete Paleo Food Guide
    • How To Save Money On The Paleo Diet
  • Work With Me
    • Services
    • Meal Plans
    • Skin Care Quiz
    • Contact
Home / Course / Main Course / Christmas Chicken

Christmas Chicken

October 12, 2019 2 Comments

173 shares
  • Share
  • Yummly
  • Tweet
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

The colors and flavour of this Christmas Chicken recipe are perfect for the holidays. Made with chicken breasts, cranberries, maple syrup and broccoli this is such an easy and simple baked chicken dish that your whole family will love. It’s also paleo and gluten free!

Baked chicken with cranberries and broccoli in a glass pan

Why did I call this recipe Christmas Chicken? Because the colours reminded me so much of Christmas. I could have also called it cranberry maple chicken or cranberry chicken with maple but I just loved Christmas Chicken so much more.

Of course you can eat this chicken any time, not just at Christmas, but if you are looking for something other than turkey to have for the holidays this chicken dish would be perfect. It would also be great to serve at Thanksgiving. Not only does it taste amazing, it’s also really easy to make and looks so pretty!

A pan of cranberry maple chicken and broccoli

Why you will love this recipe: 

  • This cranberry maple chicken recipe is so good! The combination of maple syrup and cranberries is the perfect mix of sweet and sour flavours to give this chicken recipe the most incredible flavour.
  • The mix of green from the broccoli and red from the cranberries gives it such a pretty, vibrant color.
  • It’s so easy and simple to make.
  • It only uses one pan to cook so your clean up is so easy.
  • This chicken recipe makes great leftovers so it’s perfect for meal prep. 
  • This recipe is healthy, gluten free, dairy free and paleo friendly. 

Key ingredients and substitutions: 

  • Chicken breasts – boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the meat used to make this Christmas chicken recipe. I recommend using free range chicken if possible for the most health benefits and the ethical treatment of the chickens. 
  • Cranberries – fresh cranberries give this holiday chicken recipe such a pretty color and unique, delicious flavour. The cranberries and maple syrup combine beautifully to give this chicken such a brilliant taste. 
  • Broccoli – fresh broccoli adds vitamins, minerals and fiber to this dish. The green also adds a fun pop of color to contrast with the red cranberries. 
  • Maple syrup – maple syrup adds the perfect amount of sweetness to contrast the tart cranberries. 
  • Balsamic vinegar – balsamic vinegar helps add more sweet flavour to this chicken and it also helps tenderize the meat. 
  • Herbs de Provence spice blend – the combination of fennel, marjoram, parsley, rosemary, tarragon, and thyme blend perfectly to give this healthy chicken a beautiful flavour. 
Overhead shot of Christmas Chicken in a baking dish

How to make this recipe:

Step one: 

First you are going to make the marinade. Simply put the marinade ingredients into a bowl or large measuring cup and stir well.

A glass measuring cup filled with marinade

Step two: 

Then place the remaining ingredients into a large glass or ceramic pan. Pour the marinade over the ingredients and turn the chicken breasts a couple times to ensure they are coated.

Raw chicken, broccoli and cranberries in a pan

Step three: 

Let the ingredients marinate for 30-60 minutes.

Step four: 

Then turn on the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover the dish in tin foil and bake for 30-35 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through (the cooking time may vary based on the size of your chicken breasts). Then serve and enjoy!Close up of Christmas Chicken in a glass dish

Tips and variations: 

  • Try to use chicken breasts that are all the same size so that they cook evenly. 
  • If you don’t have fresh cranberries you can use frozen cranberries instead. 
  • Feel free to change up the seasonings on this chicken. Other great options include basil, rosemary, or thyme. 
  • If you are serving a crowd feel free to double or triple this recipe. 
  • Depending on the size of the chicken breasts you are using you may need to adjust the cooking time. 

What to serve with this chicken recipe:

  • White rice or cauliflower rice
  • Mashed potatoes or mashed cauliflower
  • Roasted potatoes or green beans
  • Cooked squash (butternut and spaghetti are my favourite)

Optional toppings:

  • Add either cashews or pecans for a little extra flavour and crunch
  • Throw on some fresh cilantro to give it a different taste
  • Add some black or green olives

How to store: 

Store any leftovers in an air tight container for up to 5 days. 

Other recipes you will love:

  • Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry Sheet Pan Meal
  • Meatloaf with Blueberries
  • Healthy Sloppy Joes
  • Maple Cranberry Brussels Sprouts
  • Lemon Bars with Cranberry

If you make this recipe be sure to give it a star rating below! And be sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook too!

5 from 6 votes
Print

Christmas Chicken

This Christmas Chicken is made with cranberries and maple syrup and tastes amazing. Perfect for the holidays and so easy to make!

Course Main Course, Meat
Cuisine American
Keyword cranberry chicken, holiday chicken, maple syrup chicken
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 756 kcal

Ingredients

Marinade Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup avocado oil (or olive oil)
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp herbes de provence spice blend
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp powdered mustard

Other Ingredients

  • 4 chicken breasts (organic and free range if possible)
  • 1 head broccoli, chopped
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries

Instructions

  1. Make the marinade by mixing all the ingredients together in a bowl or large mixing cup.

  2. Place the chicken breasts, broccoli and cranberries in a large glass or ceramic baking dish.

  3. Pour the marinade over the ingredients, turning the chicken breasts a few times to ensure coated.

  4. Let everything marinate for 30-60 minutes.

  5. Turn the oven on to 350F.

  6. Cover the baking dish in tin foil and place it into the oven.

  7. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked.

  8. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes.

  9. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

  1. This recipes yields 4 servings but feel free to double or triple it if you are serving a crowd.
  2. Optional topping ideas: cashews, pecans or cilantro.
  3. Depending on the size of your chicken breasts you may have to alter the cooking time slightly. 
Nutrition Facts
Christmas Chicken
Amount Per Serving
Calories 756 Calories from Fat 432
% Daily Value*
Fat 48g74%
Saturated Fat 6g38%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 7g
Monounsaturated Fat 31g
Cholesterol 145mg48%
Sodium 900mg39%
Potassium 1412mg40%
Carbohydrates 30g10%
Fiber 5g21%
Sugar 18g20%
Protein 53g106%
Vitamin A 1068IU21%
Vitamin C 142mg172%
Calcium 132mg13%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

RECOMMENDED RECIPES

Vegan Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

Turtle Cookie Bars

Whole30 and Paleo Sloppy Joes

DISCLAIMERS: The statements made on this website have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration or Health Canada. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. You assume full responsibility for how you use this information. Always consult with your physician or other health professionals before making any diet or lifestyle changes. This post may contain affiliate links whereby if you purchase these products I receive a small percentage of the sale price. This allows me to keep the blog running and I thank you for allowing me to do that!

Previous Post: « Gluten Free Pumpkin Muffins with Chocolate Drizzle
Next Post: Is Quinoa Paleo? »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Natalie

    December 3, 2020 at 1:47 am

    Delicious!! The cranberries are such an underrated fruit and I loved adding them to the recipe! I used Primal Kitchen’s Oil & Vinegar Salad Dressing as marinade to make it easier but really the best part is the mixture of baked cranberries and broccoli with the chicken! Great recipe, Erin!5 stars

    Reply
    • Erin Carter

      December 6, 2020 at 2:48 pm

      Oh I am so glad you loved it!!!!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Hi friends! I'm Dr. Erin Carter

I'm a physician by day and health and wellness blogger by night. I believe that real food and healthy living are medicine and that eating healthy shouldn't be boring or restrictive. Here you'll find many easy and delicious recipes and tons of healthy living tips! Meet Dr. Erin Carter

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Reader Faves

How To Heal Keratosis Pilaris With Diet

Slices of gluten free chocolate chip banana bread stacked on top of one another

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Whole30 Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce (Paleo, AIP, Vegan, GAPS, SCD, low carb)

Why You Should Soak And Dehydrate Nuts And Seeds (And How To Do It)

Whole30 Cilantro Lime Dressing

How I Healed My Keratosis Pilaris (KP) Naturally

Join the List

Leave your email to be sent subscriber exclusive deals, recipes and other goodies

We won't send you spam.
Unsubscribe at any time.

My Ebooks

My Ebooks

My Favorite Safe Beauty Products

My Favorite Safe Beauty Products

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2022 Pure & Simple Nourishment

173 shares
173 shares