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Home By Meal Lunch and Dinner

Cranberry Chicken Casserole

★★★★★ 19 Reviews Recipe Print
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By: Erin10/28/20

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

cranberry chicken casserole
cranberry chicken casserole

Cozy up to sweet, savory, tangy flavor with this Cranberry Chicken Casserole. Made with rice, chicken, and an incredible cranberry, orange juice, soy sauce, maple syrup combo, this dish is a winner for any night of the week.

cranberry chicken casserole in dish

A filling and nutrient rich meal

Chicken casserole recipes are. the. BEST! Who’s in agreement?! There’s something about them that I just love. Coziness is key with fall recipes, and any chicken casserole seems to accomplish the cozy factor so beautifully.

Especially this one.

Today we’re whipping up a delicious cranberry chicken casserole, which gets an A+ for flavor and an A++ for warm, autumn vibes. It’s the perfect dinner to enjoy on a relaxing Sunday evening as you mentally prepare for the work or school week ahead!

Flavored with a citrusy mixture of cranberries and orange juice, this chicken casserole dish is filled with sweet, savory flavor in each bite. If a big bear hug could take the form of a casserole, it would be this dish.

cranberry chicken casserole in dish

Ingredients included in cranberry chicken casserole

Cran chicken casserole is made using a blend of hearty, flavorful ingredients like cranberries, maple syrup, soy sauce, and sesame oil. These atop a bed of rice, squash, and chicken breasts create a delicious meal that the entire family is sure to devour.

  • Uncooked wild rice blend (or brown rice)
  • Butternut squash
  • Avocado oil
  • Salt
  • Chicken breasts
  • Cranberries
  • Orange (for juice and zest)
  • Maple syrup
  • Soy sauce
  • Sesame oil
  • Sliced almonds
  • Dried cranberries

Tools used to make this recipe

This chicken recipe uses only a handful of kitchen tools. You’ll need a dish for baking (I like to use a 9×13, but you can use what you have), a sauce pan, and a few utensils and measuring cups.

  • 9×13 casserole dish
  • Stirring/mixing utensil
  • Fork
  • Sauce pan

For measuring ingredients, you will need the following sizes: 1/4 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, 3/4 cup, and 1 cup.

cranberry chicken casserole on plate

How to make cranberry chicken casserole with rice

This dish is worth every second of prep time. It’s bursting with so much savory, tangy flavor! Ready in about 80 minutes (including baking time), this is a recipe to save. You may want to double the batch so that you have extra to enjoy for lunch tomorrow!

To begin, cook the rice according to the package and set aside.

Preheat the oven to 400F. In a 9×13 casserole dish, add the butternut squash, avocado oil, and salt. Toss until coated.

Bake the squash for 35-40 minutes or until fork tender. Take out of the oven.

Add the cooked rice to the squash and mix. Place the chicken breasts on top of the rice mixture.

Next, make the cranberry sauce by combining the cranberries, orange zest and juice, maple syrup, soy sauce, and sesame oil over medium high heat. Continue to stir occasionally. The cranberries should burst and thicken after about ten minutes.

Once thick, turn the heat off. Spread the cranberry mixture evenly over the chicken breasts.

Top with the almonds and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal chicken temperature reads 165F.

Serve immediately.

Answering your cranberry chicken casserole Qs

Wondering if you can mix up the rice or use a lemon in your recipe? Here are the answers you’re looking for!

Can I use any type of rice?
Yes! In the ingredient list I recommended wild or brown rice, but you can use whatever you have handy.

Can I use a different sized casserole dish?
Of course! And sized dish will work. The sauce and squash may cook at different rates in different sized pans, but that’s ok. Just keep an eye as it cooks and make sure your chicken reaches an internal temperate of 165F before removing from the oven.

Can I use a lemon in place of the orange?
I haven’t tried this, but I have a feeling that it would taste yummy! The goal is to achieve that slightly tangy aspect to compliment the cranberries, so feel free to give it a go.

cranberry chicken casserole on spatula

Storing leftovers

Above, I mentioned that you may want to make an extra dish so that you have chicken casserole to enjoy for tomorrow’s lunch. It’s just that good! When it comes to saving it for later, place it in an airtight container and keep it refrigerated. Eat within 2 days.

More chicken entrees to enjoy

Chicken dinners are where it’s at! They’re filling, tasty, and are a great source of lean protein. Here are some more of my favorites for you to try this week!

  • Healthy Chicken Pot Pie Soup (Dairy-Free)
  • Lemon Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole
  • Easy Chicken Pad Thai
  • Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
  • Healthy Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
cranberry chicken casserole on plate with fork
cranberry chicken casserole in dish
★★★★★ 5 from 19 reviews

Cranberry Chicken Casserole

Cozy up to sweet, savory, tangy flavor with this Cranberry Chicken Casserole. Made with rice, chicken, and an incredible cranberry, orange juice, soy sauce, maple syrup combo, this dish is a winner for any night of the week.

Prep: 20Cook: 70Total: 1 hour 30 minutes
Yield 8 servings 1x
Print Pin it Rate

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups uncooked wild rice blend (or brown rice)
  • 4 cups chopped butternut squash
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 5 small chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)
  • 12 oz cranberries (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 large orange, juice + zest
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 3/4 cup sliced almonds
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Instructions

  1. Cook rice according to package. Set aside.
  2. Preheat oven to 400F. In a 9×13 casserole dish, add butternut squash, avocado oil, and salt. Toss until coated.
  3. Bake squash for 35-40 minutes or until fork tender. Take out of oven.
  4. Add cooked rice to squash and mix. Place chicken breasts on top of rice mixture.
  5. Make cranberry sauce by combining cranberries, the zest and juice of 1 large orange, maple syrup, soy sauce, and sesame oil over medium high heat. Continue to stir occasionally, the cranberries will eventually burst and thicken, after about ten minutes. Test your sauce. If it is too tart for your liking, add 1/4 cup more maple syrup.
  6. Once thick, turn the heat off. Spread the cranberry mixture evenly over the chicken breasts.
  7. Top with almonds and bake for 25-30 minutes or until internal chicken temperature reads 165F.
  8. Sprinkle with dried cranberries and serve immediately.
Author: Erin MorrisseyCategory: dinner, lunch, meal-prep, gluten-freeMethod: ovenCuisine: AmericanDiet: Gluten Free
cranberry chicken casserole in dish

Did you make this?

Leave a comment below and tag @erinliveswhole on social media!

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There may be affiliate links in this post! By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat 🙂

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Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Taylor says

    Posted on 11/21 at 8:57 pm

    I finally made this recipe tonight. All of the best fall flavors together in one dish. This cozy and easy meal will definitely be on repeat all winter in our house!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/22 at 2:41 pm

      Hi Taylor, so happy you loved it so much! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Maureen Bolinger says

    Posted on 10/11 at 6:46 pm

    Really love your recipes. I have to bring in a frozen casserole my dsughter’s school festival. I am not much of a casserole cook and love this does not have cheese. But sny suggestions would be helpful.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Maureen Bolinger says

      Posted on 10/12 at 1:56 pm

      So I am cooking all the parts separately. I found easy butternut squash cut up so I cooked it following your instructions. I made wild rice – takes forever in my rice cooker but that’s okay. I cleaned and cup up the chicken in bite sized and marinated the chicken per your recipe for greek salad so the chicken will be moist for reheating. And cooked by itself. I let things cool a bit and assembled. I am leaving out the almonds from the frozen storage. One it’s a school thing – no nuts and two I can add before I bake. I split the recipe into 2 because the school said smaller casseroles sell better and curious to see how it reheats too. I made double so I can experiment with reheating for my instructions for the fall festival sale. I plan on defrosting overnight and reheating at 350 for about 25-30 minutes. I will keep you posted. There was no frozen or fresh cranberries so I used cans. I also cheated with nice orange juice. BUT please make more of the sauce. I took the suggestion of another comment and it is so delicious! I added to my cousous turkey/carrot leftovers to add zing and it was so yummy. This sauce could really be added to so many things! Especially on thanksgiving leftovers.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Erin says

        Posted on 10/12 at 5:36 pm

        Hi Maureen, thank you so much for sharing! So glad you made it your own! 🙂

    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/12 at 5:20 pm

      Hi Maureen, thank you so much and yes, this would be a great one to make! Let me know how it comes out!

      Reply
  3. Danielle Slaney says

    Posted on 10/12 at 1:30 pm

    I only had sweet potato on hand and it turned out fabulous. The tart cranberry sauce really makes this dish pop!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/13 at 4:01 pm

      Hi Danielle, so glad you liked it and made it your own!!

      Reply
  4. Dana R says

    Posted on 1/16 at 5:17 pm

    One of my new go-tos. Casseroles are new for me, and this one has me hooked! Love the combination of flavors that remind me of my favorite time of year. This is serious comfort food for cold fall/winter nights, and it’s healthy! What more could you ask for?

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 1/17 at 1:29 pm

      Hi Dana, I am so glad that you loved it so much! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Andi says

    Posted on 1/13 at 3:58 pm

    The perfect fall casserole doesn’t exi… – yes it does and it is this! I didn’t have fresh cranberries so I used a can of cranberry sauce and added the extra ingredients like the soy sauce. So so yummy and my whole family enjoyed it. Will definitely be making it again!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 1/14 at 11:48 am

      Hi Andi, I am so happy you and your family loved it so much!!

      Reply
  6. Paige says

    Posted on 1/4 at 3:04 pm

    Oh wow. I am in love with this dish! It’s everything I wanted it to be and more. To be honest, I totally see myself making this dish in the summer months too because it makes a ton of food and my fiance and I had leftovers for the next night…WIN! I love the added crunch the almond add. I saw someone on your instagram added goat cheese (which is so smart) and I’ll definitely be doing that next time. Thank you so much!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 1/4 at 3:58 pm

      Hi Paige, so happy you both love it!

      Reply
  7. Paige says

    Posted on 1/4 at 2:51 pm

    Oh wow. I am in love with this dish! It’s everything I wanted it to be and more. To be honest, I totally see myself making this dish in the summer months too because it makes a ton of food and my fiance and I had leftovers for the next night…WIN! I love the added crunch the almond add. I saw someone on your instagram added goat cheese (which is so smart) and I’ll definitely be doing that next time. Thank you so much!!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 1/4 at 3:57 pm

      Hi Paige, thanks for sharing! So happy you loved it!

      Reply
  8. Kailyn says

    Posted on 1/3 at 9:48 pm

    This casserole was amazing! I have been craving it since the last time I made it. Definitely a recipe that will be kept in the dinner rotation! Great as leftovers, too!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 1/4 at 3:28 pm

      Hi Kailyn, so glad you enjoyed it!!

      Reply
  9. nikole says

    Posted on 1/3 at 4:29 pm

    Made this for the fam and it was a huge hit!! All the flavors are incredible and i love the crunch from the almonds! Perfect fall comfort meal! Definitely making again soon

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 1/4 at 2:42 pm

      Hi Nikole, so glad everyone enjoyed it!

      Reply
  10. Elizabeth Donahue says

    Posted on 1/3 at 4:22 pm

    I made this recipe with my mom and my whole family absolutely loved it! So delicious 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 1/4 at 2:38 pm

      Hi Elizabeth, thanks for sharing! So happy to hear that!

      Reply
  11. Samantha Candela says

    Posted on 1/3 at 3:53 pm

    Loved this dish! Leftovers were so yummy too. Will definitely be making again!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 1/4 at 1:44 pm

      Hi Samantha, I am so glad you liked it!!

      Reply
  12. Jordan says

    Posted on 12/4 at 8:49 pm

    I looove this casserole!! It’s the perfect comfort food! I chop up the chicken and add dollops of goat cheese on top as well. Definitely going to get lots of repetitions this winter!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/7 at 4:22 pm

      Hi Jordan, thanks for sharing! I am so glad you like it!

      Reply
  13. Yudith says

    Posted on 12/3 at 9:10 pm

    This was amazing! Made it for the whole fam for dinner and they loved it! The sauce was so good that I think I’ll double it next time!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/7 at 4:17 pm

      Hi Yudith, I am so happy everyone loved it! 🙂

      Reply
  14. Ashley says

    Posted on 11/27 at 9:02 am

    I made this for Thanksgiving, it was delicious! Even without the chicken, the rice, butternut squash and cranberry sauce would make a great side dishes. I did not add more maple syrup to the cranberry sauce, it was perfect with the original amount.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/27 at 11:36 pm

      Hi Ashley, I am so glad you liked it!!

      Reply
  15. Clare says

    Posted on 11/10 at 10:38 am

    This was AMAZING!!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/10 at 11:59 am

      Hi Clare, I am to happy you liked it!

      Reply
  16. Lindsay says

    Posted on 11/6 at 8:40 pm

    Made this for dinner tonight and it was soooo good! Loved the combo of all the different flavors and textures mixed together. I added some crumbled goat cheese on top for an extra little tangy bit of flavor!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/10 at 11:45 am

      Hi Lindsay, that sounds so good! Always a good idea to add cheese! 🙂

      Reply
  17. Beth says

    Posted on 11/5 at 9:17 pm

    My husband and I loved this recipe! Perfect for fall. I used cauliflower rice in place of wild or brown rice. Thank you for sharing, Erin!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/6 at 1:14 pm

      Hi Beth, I am thrilled you both enjoyed it and made it your own! 🙂

      Reply
  18. Rachel S says

    Posted on 11/5 at 11:47 am

    Delicious comfort food type dish. So many good flavors! The cranberry sauce is out of this world! **added the dried cranberries on top at the end per confirmation from Erin**
    Thank you so much for sharing this fall festive recipe!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/6 at 1:11 pm

      Hi Rachel, I am thrilled you enjoyed it!! 🙂

      Reply
  19. Lindsey says

    Posted on 11/4 at 7:20 pm

    This was delicious! Added some brussel sprouts with the squash, and it was the perfect fall dinner!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/6 at 1:05 pm

      Hi Lindsey, thanks for sharing! Yum that sounds so good!

      Reply
  20. Amanda says

    Posted on 10/30 at 7:20 pm

    Wow these look soooo perfect! I will definitely make them this weekend. Can’t wait to see what you come up with next!

    ~ XOXO, Amanda
    http://www.blondeoutofwater.com

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/2 at 1:11 pm

      Hi Amanda, thank you so much! Let me know how it came out.

      Reply

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