Easy Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe
This Easy Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken recipe combines juicy, seared chicken breasts with a tangy, sweet cranberry orange sauce simmered to perfection. It’s a flavorful one-pan dish perfect for festive meals or weeknight dinners, bringing together bright citrus, fresh cranberries, and aromatic herbs in an effortless skillet-cooked entrée.
- 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 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for extra juiciness)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cranberry Orange Sauce
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 2 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup for a deeper flavor)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme (or fresh thyme sprigs)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for color and freshness)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat chicken breasts or thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper to ensure a flavorful, golden crust when seared.
- Heat the Skillet: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and drizzle in olive oil. Heat until the oil shimmers, indicating the pan is hot enough to sear without sticking.
- Sear the Chicken: Add seasoned chicken to the hot skillet and cook for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside on a plate.
- Build the Cranberry Orange Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, honey, cinnamon, and thyme. Simmer for about 5 minutes until cranberries soften and burst, forming a glossy sauce.
- Simmer with Chicken: Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon sauce over them, cover with a lid, and cook on low heat for 8–10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). This allows the flavors to meld while keeping the chicken juicy.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the cooked chicken with freshly chopped parsley. Serve hot with preferred sides such as rice, quinoa, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables.
Notes
- Substitute dried cranberries soaked in orange juice for fresh or frozen cranberries if necessary.
- Adjust sweetness by reducing honey or adding a splash of balsamic vinegar for a more savory profile.
- Double the sauce quantity if you prefer extra sauce for serving over grains or mashed potatoes.
- Use bone-in chicken pieces like drumsticks or thighs for more flavor but increase cooking time accordingly.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months; reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or orange juice.
Keywords: cranberry orange chicken, skillet chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, citrus chicken, one pan chicken, cranberry sauce chicken, weeknight chicken recipes
