Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken breasts with a tangy-sweet cranberry orange sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this recipe balances zesty citrus with warm spices for a comforting meal everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup fresh cranberries (or frozen)
• ½ cup orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
• 2 tbsp honey (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp orange zest
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup chicken broth
• Fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil and butter together in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Step 3: Add the chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
4. Step 4: Lower the heat to medium. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Step 5: Stir in the cranberries, orange juice, honey, orange zest, dried thyme, cinnamon, and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
6. Step 6: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Cover and let simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
7. Step 7: If the sauce is too thin, remove the chicken and simmer the sauce uncovered for a few more minutes to thicken before serving.
8. Step 8: Plate the chicken and generously spoon the cranberry orange sauce over the top. Garnish with fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs.

Tips & Variations

• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a spicy-sweet kick.
• Use frozen cranberries if fresh are not available; no need to thaw before cooking.
• Serve with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or wild rice for a complete meal.
• For extra depth, splash a bit of white wine into the sauce before simmering.

Storage

Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water if the sauce has thickened too much.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs work well and tend to stay juicy. Adjust cooking time as thighs may need a few extra minutes to cook through.

Is it okay to use store-bought orange juice?

While freshly squeezed orange juice is preferred for the best flavor, store-bought orange juice can be used in a pinch. Just choose a variety without added sugars or preservatives for the best result.

Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 248 reviews

This Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken recipe offers a delightful blend of tangy cranberries and sweet orange flavors paired with tender, juicy chicken breasts seared to perfection. Simmered in a fragrant sauce with hints of cinnamon and thyme, this one-pan dish is perfect for a comforting dinner that balances sweet, savory, and citrus notes.

• Author: Rami
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter

Sauce

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup fresh cranberries (or frozen)
• ½ cup orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
• 2 tbsp honey (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp orange zest
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup chicken broth

Garnish

• Fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs for garnish

Instructions

1. Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry using paper towels and season both sides evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor.
2. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil and unsalted butter together in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. Prepare the Cranberry Orange Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Then, stir in fresh cranberries, freshly squeezed orange juice, honey, orange zest, dried thyme, cinnamon, and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally to combine flavors.
4. Simmer the Chicken: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet. Spoon the cranberry orange sauce over the chicken pieces. Cover the skillet and let the chicken simmer gently for 10-15 minutes until fully cooked, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
5. Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If the sauce appears too thin, remove the chicken breasts and continue to simmer the sauce uncovered for several more minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency.
6. Serve: Plate the cooked chicken breasts and generously spoon the vibrant cranberry orange sauce over the top. Garnish with fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs for added aroma and presentation.

Notes

• Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a spicy-sweet kick.
• Side Suggestions: This dish pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or wild rice for a complete and satisfying meal.
• Use fresh ingredients whenever possible to maximize flavor, especially fresh cranberries and freshly squeezed orange juice.
• Ensure the chicken is cooked through by checking the internal temperature with a meat thermometer.

Keywords: Skillet Chicken, Cranberry Sauce Chicken, Orange Chicken, Easy Dinner, One-Pan Chicken Recipe, Fall Dinner Recipe, Chicken with Fruit Sauce