Description
Cranberry Orange Chicken is a deliciously tangy and savory dish featuring tender chicken breasts or thighs cooked in a flavorful sauce made from fresh cranberries, bright orange juice and zest, honey, and herbs. This skillet recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight meal that feels both festive and comforting, combining fresh ingredients to create a beautifully balanced sauce that enhances the juicy chicken.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or rosemary or 1/2 teaspoon dried
Sauce
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 large orange, zested and juiced
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chicken broth or water
Optional Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar for extra depth of flavor
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard for a slight tang
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts or thighs with salt, pepper, and a pinch of fresh thyme or rosemary. Optionally marinate for 30 minutes for extra flavor, though this step is not required.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4-6 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Cranberry Orange Sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, and honey or maple syrup. Stir to combine and simmer for 5-7 minutes until cranberries burst and the sauce slightly thickens.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon some sauce over the top. Add chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pan to release browned bits for extra flavor. Cover and reduce heat to low, simmering for 10-12 minutes until chicken is cooked through and reaches 165°F internally.
- Serve: Once cooked, spoon cranberry-orange sauce over the chicken. Garnish with fresh herbs or additional orange zest if desired before serving.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken is optional but enhances flavor.
- Use fresh or frozen cranberries depending on availability.
- For a deeper sauce flavor, add balsamic vinegar and Dijon mustard as optional ingredients.
- Ensure chicken is fully cooked by checking internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Serve with rice, quinoa, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
