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Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe

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4 from 87 reviews

Cranberry Orange Chicken is a vibrant and delicious dish that combines tangy cranberries and bright orange flavors with savory chicken breasts or thighs. This recipe offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory, making it an ideal choice for festive dinners, holiday celebrations, or cozy family meals. With simple ingredients and straightforward preparation, you can enjoy a flavorful, heartwarming meal in just 40 minutes.

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or rosemary or 1/2 teaspoon dried
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Sauce

  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • 1 large orange, zested and juiced
  • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup chicken broth or water
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Instructions

  1. Prep the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts or thighs with salt, pepper, and fresh or dried thyme or rosemary. For enhanced flavor, you can marinate the chicken for 30 minutes, but this step is optional.
  2. Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook for 4-6 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Make the Cranberry Orange Sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, and honey or maple syrup. Stir and bring to a simmer. Let the sauce cook for 5-7 minutes until cranberries burst and sauce thickens slightly.
  4. Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon some sauce over the top. Add chicken broth and scrape any browned bits from the pan to enhance flavor. Cover the skillet, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10-12 minutes until chicken is cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F.
  5. Serve: Once cooked, spoon cranberry-orange sauce over the chicken. Garnish with fresh herbs or additional orange zest if desired and serve warm.

Notes

  • Marinating the chicken is optional but enhances flavor.
  • Use maple syrup instead of honey for a vegan-friendly alternative if substituting the protein.
  • Chicken broth can be substituted with water for a lighter sauce.
  • Check internal chicken temperature to ensure it is fully cooked.
  • Add balsamic vinegar and Dijon mustard for extra depth and tang if desired.
  • Author: Daisy
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

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