BBQ Cranberry Chicken (Easy 4-Ingredient Dinner!)

With 4 simple ingredients and fast prep, this BBQ Cranberry Chicken is the perfect weeknight win. It’s flavorful, family-friendly, and works just as well for a casual summer cookout as it does for a regular Tuesday dinner.

Looking for a quick and flavorful chicken recipe that actually delivers? This BBQ Cranberry Chicken is sweet, smoky, tangy—and ready in just 30 minutes! With only 4 ingredients, it’s perfect for busy weeknights, last-minute BBQs, or when you’re just too tired to think about what’s for dinner.

If you’re a fan of easy chicken dinners like our Teriyaki Chicken or crave something sweet and tangy like our Orange Chicken Rice Bowls, you’re going to want this one in your rotation.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Just 4 ingredients
• Ready in 30 minutes
• Grill or bake—it’s up to you!
• A total crowd-pleaser

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded to about ¼” thick)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 (14 oz) can jellied cranberry sauce
• 1 cup BBQ sauce (any kind you like!)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Grill – Fire it up and let it heat for about 5 minutes.
2. Season the Chicken – Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.
3. Grill the Chicken – Cook each side for 3–5 minutes over medium heat.
4. Mix the Sauce – In a small bowl, combine cranberry sauce and BBQ sauce. Set aside half the mixture for serving.
5. Baste + Finish Cooking – Brush the remaining sauce on the chicken and grill for about 5 more minutes, or until the internal temp hits 165°F.
6. Serve + Enjoy – Plate the chicken and serve with the reserved sauce for dipping.

Tips & Variations

• Pound it out – Pounding the chicken helps it cook evenly and stay juicy.
• Use a thermometer – Chicken is done at 165°F. No more guesswork!
• Add heat – Love a little spice? Use a spicy BBQ sauce or stir in a dash of hot sauce.
• No grill? No problem! – Bake in the oven at 400°F for 20–25 minutes, brushing with sauce halfway through.

What to Serve With BBQ Cranberry Chicken

Pair this sweet and smoky chicken with any of these easy sides:

• Mexican Corn Salad
• Easy Pasta Salad
• Homemade Chive and Cheddar Biscuits

HERE’S A PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE:

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BBQ Cranberry Chicken

Servings: 4 people

Treat the taste buds of everyone at your next summer BBQ with this tasty Cranberry Chicken! Deliciously sweet and tangy, this chicken is made with 3 just ingredients and could not be easier to make!

Prep Time:5 minutes mins

Cook Time:10 minutes mins

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded thin (about 1/4” thick)
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 14 oz can jellied cranberry sauce
• 1 cup BBQ sauce

Instructions

• Preheat your grill for about 5 minutes.
  
• Sprinkle both sides of your chicken breasts with salt & pepper.
• Place chicken on the grill and cook for about 3-5 minutes on each side.
• Meanwhile, mix the cranberry sauce and bbq sauce in a small mixing bowl. Reserve half for serving in a separate bowl
• Brush chicken with bbq mixture and cook until no longer pink, approximately 5 more minutes.
• Serve fresh from the grill with the reserved sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 breast · Calories: 252 kcal · Carbohydrates: 29 g · Protein: 25 g · Fat: 3 g · Saturated Fat: 1 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 1 g · Trans Fat: 0.01 g · Cholesterol: 72 mg · Sodium: 868 mg · Potassium: 584 mg · Fiber: 1 g · Sugar: 24 g · Vitamin A: 194 IU · Vitamin C: 2 mg · Calcium: 29 mg · Iron: 1 mg

Other Notes

Course: dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bbq, chicken