This is like an old friend. A good one. But one that you haven’t seen in ages. You almost forgot about her. Then something sparks your memory and you decide to pick up the phone and see how she’s doing. After an easy and delightful conversation, you’re reminded why you were friends to begin with. And you vow never to lose touch again.
Cranberry Chicken goes waaay back to my teenage years. My mom used to make it. I had forgotten all about the recipe until a few months ago when I needed something simple to make for a friend, that also freezes well (prior to cooking.)
At first glance reading the ingredients, you find yourself thinking, “Hm. Really?” But then you taste it and you think, “Oh. Ya. Really.” The chicken turns out moist, a little sweet and a little tart, with an overall rich flavor.
Best part – all you need is a mixing bowl, casserole dish, and an oven. Win. Plus, the entire meal can easily feed a (small) family for less than $10. Easy to make, easy to clean up, cheap, and tasty. It’s like a dream.
I’ve made it several times now. Paul even refers to it by name, instead of “that dish with the chicken and the sauce.” Honestly, I think he’s grown tired of it, so I should probably shelve it for a while.
Make it. And then make it again. Let your family grow tired of it, too.
Cranberry Chicken
Serves 4-6
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 1 – 1 1/2 hours
Ingredients
• 8 ounce bottle Catalina Dressing
• 1 package dry onion soup mix
• 1 (15 ounce) can whole-berry cranberry sauce
• 6-8 boneless, skinless chicken pieces (breast halves and/or thighs)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350.
In a medium bowl, combine the dressing, soup mix, and cranberry sauce. Blend well.
Spray a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray. Place chicken and mixture together in the greased dish, in a single layer, making sure all the chicken is coated well.
Bake, uncovered, for 1- 1 1/2 hours.
Serve over mashed sweet potatoes, regular potatoes, or rice.
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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
I made this last year-we really loved it. It was just so weird sounding that I had to try it and couldn’t believe that Catalina dressing, onion soup mix and cranberry sauce could combine so well together as a sauce for chicken. thanks for sharing!
Oh, no doubt. Had I not grown up with this dish, it would have sounded completely weird to me, too. So glad you guys liked it. It’s hard to beat the minimal prep time and ingredients!
Since this recepie was first posted we have made it several times…….it is the bomb!
ooh, yum!!!! And I love a recipe that looks and tastes like it took a lot of work when it doesn’t. Hope you’ve enjoyed your parents’ visit. {Woot! Just put my site’s url in for the sign in below. :D } *hugs*
Cheers to the mix-and-cook dishes. Don’t often have Catalina onhand, so this one will have to wait for a store run. Can’t wait, maybe I can fit in a store run today. :)
Daphne – This would also work for an extremely low-key/basic Thanksgiving dish I guess, since cranberries are all the rage for that holiday.
Jan – Okay, now THAT sounds great. Would love that recipe.
Rachel – Catalina dressing is a salad dressing made by Kraft. You should be able to find it by all the other dressings (Ranch, Thousand Island, etc.) Usually comes in an 8 ounce and 16 ounce bottle. It’s bright orange/crimson!
Hmmmm I’m going to have to make this. Husband is not big on fruity meat either, but he loves any kind of stir-fryish meal and for him, any meat on top of rice is stir-fryish so this might work!
One question though…what the eff is Catalina dressing???
Sounds delicious!!
I wish I could do sweet with meat, but my husband hates the combo – your dish looks amazing though!!
That does sound tasty – I have never heard of cranberry chicken before. You’ve gotta love those childhood favourites!
Now. You know that there are very few things in life that I love more than cranberry sauce. This looks absolutely amazing! The sauce looks so thick and delicious…perfect marinade for the chicken of it. I’m not sure I can grow tired of it. But I might have to try.
Ah yes, the cranberry and chicken. I still make this, and I can vouch – it is super delish and super easy! You won’t want to stop eating it!
Don’t be put off by the ingredients (the combo may sound kinda crazy) – when Amy and I were growing up, our mom wouldn’t let us see what went into the dish because she was afraid we wouldn’t eat it. :o)
Sounds great…reminds me of a recipe I make with chicken and pomegranate molasses (available in Persian/Armenian markets)…..tart and sweet and yummy…
sounds like a perfect Christmas dish as well!
The cranberry sauce sounds so good with chicken! My family would definitely love this dish!
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