Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe
A vibrant and flavorful Cranberry Orange Chicken recipe featuring juicy chicken breasts or thighs cooked in a tangy and sweet cranberry-orange sauce, enhanced with garlic, fresh herbs, and a hint of honey. Perfect for a festive meal or a delicious weeknight dinner that balances savory and citrusy flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts or thighs, boneless and skinless
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or rosemary (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 large orange, zested and juiced
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Rub the chicken breasts or thighs with salt, pepper, and fresh or dried herbs. Allow the chicken to rest while you prepare the other ingredients to let the flavors penetrate.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the chicken in the pan and cook for 4 to 6 minutes on each side, until the chicken is golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Make the cranberry orange sauce: In the same skillet, add the chopped garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add fresh cranberries, orange juice and zest, and honey or maple syrup. Simmer the mixture for 5 to 7 minutes until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Finish cooking the chicken in the sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add chicken broth, and if using, balsamic vinegar and Dijon mustard. Scrape the pan bottom to loosen any browned bits. Cover the skillet and let it cook for 10 to 12 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Spoon the cranberry orange sauce over the chicken and garnish with fresh herbs or orange zest before serving for extra color and aroma.
Notes
- You can use either chicken breasts or thighs depending on your preference.
- The cranberry orange sauce can be made ahead and reheated before combining with chicken.
- Balsamic vinegar and Dijon mustard are optional but add extra depth of flavor to the sauce.
- Use a large skillet with a lid for even cooking and to keep the chicken moist.
- Check chicken temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure safe internal cooking temperature of 165°F.
Keywords: cranberry chicken, orange chicken, autumn recipe, chicken dinners, easy chicken recipe, holiday chicken dish
Find it online: https://kitchenwithkai.com/cranberry-orange-chicken-recipe/
