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Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 125 reviews

This Cranberry Orange Chicken recipe offers a vibrant and zesty twist on classic chicken dishes. Featuring fresh cranberries and bright orange zest combined with a touch of honey and herbs, it’s a perfect balance of tart, sweet, and savory flavors. The chicken is pan-seared to lock in juices and then simmered gently in a flavorful sauce for tender, juicy results. Ideal for a weeknight dinner or special occasion, this dish is both easy to prepare and impressively delicious.

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

  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Rinse the chicken breasts or thighs and pat them dry with paper towels. Zest and juice the orange, finely chop the garlic, and measure out the cranberries and other sauce ingredients.
  2. Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and black pepper. Add the chicken pieces to the hot skillet and sear them for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Sauté the Aromatics: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the chopped garlic and fresh thyme or rosemary. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Add Sauce Ingredients: Pour in the chicken broth or water to deglaze the skillet, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom. Add the fresh cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, honey or maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard if using. Stir well to combine.
  5. Simmer the Chicken: Return the seared chicken pieces to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let the chicken simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  6. Finish and Serve: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Remove the skillet from heat and serve the cranberry orange chicken hot, spooning extra sauce over the top. This dish pairs beautifully with rice, quinoa, or steamed vegetables.

Notes

  • Use chicken thighs for a juicier and more flavorful result, though breasts work well too.
  • If fresh cranberries are unavailable, frozen can be used; just allow extra simmer time to thaw and cook.
  • You can substitute maple syrup with honey depending on your preference and dietary needs.
  • For a thicker sauce, let it simmer uncovered for the last few minutes to reduce the liquid.
  • Fresh herbs impart the best flavor, but dried herbs are a convenient alternative.

Keywords: Cranberry Orange Chicken, chicken dinner recipe, stovetop chicken, holiday chicken dish, cranberry sauce chicken

Find it online: https://busyrecipe.com/cranberry-orange-chicken-recipe/