Description
This Cranberry Orange Chicken is the perfect sweet-and-savory dish for a cozy dinner or festive gathering. Juicy chicken is seared and simmered in a bright, tangy glaze made with fresh cranberries, orange juice, and herbs—simple enough for weeknights, elegant enough for guests!
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 cup fresh cranberries (or frozen)
1 large orange (juice and zest)
2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh thyme or rosemary
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup chicken broth or water
Instructions
Season the Chicken: Pat chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of thyme or rosemary. Optional: marinate for 30 minutes.
Sear the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 4–6 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté garlic for 30 seconds. Add cranberries, orange juice, zest, and honey/maple syrup. Simmer for 5–7 minutes, until cranberries burst and sauce thickens slightly.
Simmer Together: Return chicken to skillet. Add chicken broth, scraping browned bits from the pan. Cover and simmer for 10–12 minutes, until chicken is fully cooked (165°F internal temp).
Serve: Spoon sauce over chicken, garnish with fresh herbs and extra orange zest if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
You can use chicken thighs for a juicier result, or chicken breasts for a leaner option.
Don’t worry if your cranberries look lumpy at first—once they burst, the sauce becomes beautifully glossy.
Great served with rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Main course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg