With Christmas just around the corner, we all need some recipes that feel like the holidays, but aren’t necessarily designed to feed a crowd gathered for a feast. Sometimes we just need a simple meal for a regular weekday. These meals need to be relatively quick and easy, without a lot of undue fuss or fiddly processes. Sprite and Cranberry Chicken is the perfect main dish for a normal dinner during the holidays. 

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup Sprite
• 1/2 cup cranberry juice
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2½  tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary (or 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped)
• salt
• pepper
• fresh cranberries and chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Prepare and Sear the Chicken

Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste.

In a large oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear the chicken breasts on both sides until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Prepare the Sauce

In the now empty skillet, add ½ tablespoon olive oil. Heat over medium. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly. 

Pour in the Sprite, cranberry juice, and soy sauce. Bring to a simmer.

Stir in rosemary and thyme.

Simmer and Bake

Allow the sauce to simmer for 3-5 minutes to reduce slightly. Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, coating them with the sauce. 

Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

Garnish and Serve

Once the chicken is done, remove the skillet from the oven. Garnish with fresh cranberries and chopped parsley for a festive touch. Serve the chicken over rice, quinoa, or your favorite side dish, drizzling the sauce over the top.

This Sprite Cranberry Chicken offers a delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors, making it a unique and flavorful addition to your Christmas menu. Enjoy your festive meal!