Honey Cranberry Chicken Bake

This Honey Cranberry Chicken Bake layers juicy chicken with honey, tart cranberries, and two luscious cheeses on a base of rustic sourdough. The result is a celebration of sweet, tangy, and buttery flavors in a pull-apart dish. It is a crowd-pleaser for both laid-back family dinners and festive tables, and you barely need to plan ahead. Each bite delivers contrast and comfort, making it one of my easiest yet most striking recipes.

The very first time I put this dish together it stole the show at my holiday table and now everyone requests the recipe when they try it. It is so much easier than it looks and always makes the house smell amazing.

Ingredients

• Chicken breast or thighs: boneless and skinless because this soaks up all the honey and cheese flavor. Choose fresh organic chicken if possible for best texture and taste
• Honey: for rich sweetness and a caramelized finish. I love to use floral local honey picked up at the farmers market
• Cranberries: use fresh for tart bursts or dried for mellow flavor. Pick bright colored berries and unsweetened dried types if possible
• Feta cheese: for a tangy creamy accent. Sheep milk feta gives the best melt and flavor
• Sourdough bread: torn or cut into cubes. Choose a good quality bakery loaf for structure and flavor, slightly stale bread is perfect
• Brie cheese: cubes melt to make everything ultra creamy. Try double cream brie for the silkiest result
• Butter: melted to crisp up the bread and enrich the sauce. European style butters give a golden hue and deep flavor
• Fresh thyme: brings aromatic garden notes and balances the sweetness. Fresh sprigs are more fragrant than dried
• Salt: a pinch brings the sweet cheese and tang together. Taste as you go

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Oven:

Set your oven to three hundred and fifty degrees Fahrenheit or one hundred and seventy five degrees Celsius. Butter or spray a large baking dish so nothing sticks and the bread crisps underneath

Slice and Arrange the Bread:

Slice the sourdough loaf into inch size cubes but stop before cutting through so the loaf holds its base. This makes it easy to stuff without losing shape and gives a pull apart feel

Stuff the Bread’s Pockets:

Press cubes of brie cheese and cranberries between every bread slice and on top. Be gentle to keep the loaf intact and try to distribute filling evenly for flavor in every bite

Dress with Honey and Butter:

Once stuffed place the loaf in your dish. Drizzle with melted butter first then honey letting it coat the top and seep into all the slices. This gives a sweet sticky crust when baked

Season and Add Herbs:

Sprinkle a pinch of salt and scatter fresh thyme leaves or sprigs across the top and between slices. If you love the herbal flavor tuck thyme inside the filling too

Bake to Golden Perfection:

Cover the dish with foil and bake for twenty minutes to gently melt the cheese. Take off the foil and continue baking ten minutes so the top becomes golden and bubbling

Cool and Serve:

Set the baked loaf aside for five minutes to let the cheese set slightly and make serving easier. Pull apart the slices or cut into wedges and serve everything warm with a scoop of gooey cheese and tangy cranberries in every bite

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My favorite part of this recipe is the magical way fresh cranberries burst with warmth and sweetness as they bake. One year my daughter and I sprinkled extra thyme before Sunday supper and we agreed that the aroma instantly reminded us of the holidays we grew up with.

Storage Tips

Store any leftovers wrapped tightly in foil or in a sealed container in the fridge for up to three days. For the crispiest result reheat in the oven. Individual servings can be microwaved for convenience. To freeze just wrap sliced portions and thaw before reheating gently

Ingredient Substitutions

No feta available Creamy goat cheese brings similar tang. For brie double the feta or substitute with mozzarella for meltiness. When fresh cranberries are out of season dried ones work if you soak them in juice to plump up

Serving Suggestions

Serve as the centerpiece during brunch paired with a crisp green salad or alongside roasted vegetables. This bake is also wonderful at potlucks and festive gatherings. Garnish with orange zest or a little extra thyme for more color and flavor pop

Cultural or Historical Context

Dishes combining fruit cheese and bread are rooted in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern holiday feasts. Honey and dairy are a classic comforting duo that bring people together at any celebration

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Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh?

Yes, dried cranberries add a sweeter, chewier texture, which complements the honey and cheese nicely.

→ Which bread works best for this bake?

Sourdough holds up well due to its sturdy texture and rustic flavor, absorbing the sweet and savory layers beautifully.

→ How do I ensure the cheese melts evenly?

Cut the brie into small cubes and evenly tuck them throughout the bread slices to promote smooth, even melting.

→ Can this dish be prepared in advance?

You can assemble it ahead and refrigerate; then bake just before serving to maintain freshness and flavor.

→ What herbs work well besides thyme?

Rosemary or sage are great alternatives, offering an earthy aroma that complements the sweetness and creaminess.