Tasty Tuesday: Thursday Edition…Cranberry Chicken (or Pork)

::sigh:: It was only yesterday that grass adorned my yard. Real grass. Grass that promised Spring. Grass that begged to be run upon barefoot. Grass that had spent more than a month under wicked cold snow.

It is now under snow. Again.

Blasted Mother Nature.

Well, not rain nor snow will keep this blogger from posting another tasty dish today. I’ve had today’s recipe for a while, having posted it on my blog 2 years ago. It came to me via my wonderful sister-in-law, Laura. I am sad to admit that despite having this recipe in my possession, I did not try it out until last week.

2 years, people.

And it’s a shame – it was SO GOOD! Painstakingly simple – and think it would translate well to being used in a slowcooker or grill. This recipe is kid-friendly, and would be best complimented with rice and a vegetable. Use leftovers shredded over greens the next day for a healthy lunch salad!

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Cranberry Chicken (or Pork)

• 4 tbls soy sauce (I use lite sodium)
• 4 tbls lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder (I’ve also used onion powder)
• 3 tbls butter or margarine
• 1 can whole cranberry sauce
• 6 boneless/skinless chicken breasts (or boneless pork chops)
• salt/pepper/thyme

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line 9″x13″ baking pan with foil for easy clean-up.

2. Season chicken or pork with salt/pepper/thyme. You can either put the meat directly into the baking pan, or brown it in a skillet with a tablespoon of oil for a few minutes on either side. (I think it tastes better when it’s browned first.)

3. Combine first 5 ingredients in microwaveable dish and heat about 4 minutes (you can also do this on the stovetop). Mix well. Pour cranberry mixture over chicken/pork in baking pan and cover with more foil.

4. Place in oven and bake for 40-45 minutes for pork, about 50-60 minutes for chicken.

Laura’s notes:

“…I like to prepare the first three steps early in the day when it’s quiet, then put it all in the oven about an hour before dinner. We typically serve it with rice, applesauce, and a green veggie – and crescent rolls…” ~~~~~

So good! And the use of butter makes the chicken SO moist! I have not yet tried this with pork – so if you do, PLEASE leave a comment on how it turns out!

Have a great week – and let’s hope all this snow MELTS already!
You can read more about Steph’s life and recipes at her blog, Confessions of a Stay-At-Home Mom.