Description

This Cranberry Orange Chicken recipe offers a delightful balance of savory and tangy flavors, perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner. Tender boneless chicken breasts or thighs are cooked stovetop in a zesty sauce made with fresh cranberries, orange zest and juice, honey, garlic, and herbs, creating a vibrant and aromatic dish that’s both nutritious and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

Sauce

1 cup fresh cranberries
1 large orange, zested and juiced
2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 teaspoon fresh thyme or rosemary (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
Salt and black pepper to taste
1/2 cup chicken broth or water
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (optional)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts or thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper to taste.
Sear the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken pieces and sear them for about 4-5 minutes on each side, until golden brown and almost cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Make the sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add the finely chopped garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Then add the fresh cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, honey or maple syrup, fresh thyme or rosemary, chicken broth (or water), balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard if using. Stir to combine the ingredients.
Simmer the sauce: Let the sauce simmer gently for 5-7 minutes, until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally.
Combine chicken and sauce: Return the seared chicken to the skillet, nestling the pieces into the sauce. Spoon the sauce over the chicken to coat evenly. Cover the skillet, reduce heat to low, and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes to ensure the chicken is cooked through and infused with the sauce flavors.
Finish and serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve the cranberry orange chicken warm, spooning extra sauce over the top. This dish pairs wonderfully with rice, quinoa, or roasted vegetables.

Notes

Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier, more flavorful dish.
Fresh cranberries are preferred for their tartness; frozen can be substituted if needed.
Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of honey or maple syrup according to taste.
For a thicker sauce, simmer longer or add a cornstarch slurry as needed.
Optional balsamic vinegar and Dijon mustard add depth but can be omitted for a simpler sauce.
Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.

Keywords: cranberry chicken, orange chicken recipe, stovetop chicken recipe, healthy chicken dinner, cranberry sauce chicken, citrus chicken