Description
Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken is a juicy, savory-sweet dinner made in one pan. Fresh orange juice, tart cranberries, and herbs come together in a rich sauce perfect for weeknights or holiday meals.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 tablespoon honey
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
1 tablespoon butter
Fresh parsley or rosemary, for garnish
Instructions
1. Season chicken with salt and pepper on both sides.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and sear for 3–4 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, sauté onion until soft, then stir in garlic and thyme.
4. Pour in chicken broth, orange juice, zest, and honey. Stir and bring to a simmer.
5. Add cranberries and let them burst and thicken the sauce slightly, about 5 minutes.
6. Return chicken to skillet. Spoon sauce over and cook for another 8–10 minutes, covered, until chicken is fully cooked.
7. Finish with a pat of butter and fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
Use fresh or frozen cranberries. If using frozen, don’t thaw first.
You can substitute maple syrup for honey if desired.
Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: skillet cranberry orange chicken, cranberry chicken recipe, one pan chicken dinner, holiday chicken recipe, orange cranberry sauce chicken