Description
This Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken recipe combines juicy, pan-seared chicken breasts with a vibrant cranberry-orange sauce that’s bursting with flavor. The sauce, made with fresh cranberries, orange juice, honey, and aromatic spices, perfectly complements the savory chicken, making it an ideal bright and festive main dish for any dinner occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 pieces Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
Sauce
- 2 cups Fresh cranberries (or frozen)
- 1/2 cup Orange juice
- 2 tablespoons Honey
- 1 teaspoon Orange zest
- 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1/2 cup Chicken broth
Garnish
- 2 sprigs Fresh rosemary or thyme
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Season the chicken breasts thoroughly on both sides with salt and black pepper to enhance their natural flavor.
- Heat fat in skillet: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil and unsalted butter until bubbly, creating the perfect base for cooking the chicken.
- Sauté garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook, stirring constantly, for about 30 seconds or until fragrant and lightly golden.
- Cook chicken: Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the skillet, cooking each side for 5-7 minutes until the chicken is browned and cooked through.
- Prepare cranberry sauce: In a separate bowl, combine the fresh cranberries, orange juice, honey, orange zest, dried thyme, cinnamon, and chicken broth, mixing well.
- Add sauce to skillet: Pour the cranberry mixture over the cooked chicken in the skillet, making sure each piece is coated generously.
- Simmer: Cover the skillet with a lid and simmer for 10-15 minutes to allow the chicken to absorb the flavors and the cranberries to soften into a rich sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Finish the dish by garnishing with fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs to add a burst of herbal aroma before serving.
Notes
- Use frozen cranberries if fresh are unavailable; no need to thaw before using.
- Adjust honey amount to taste for a sweeter or more tart sauce.
- For extra depth, deglaze the pan with a splash of chicken broth before adding the cranberry mixture.
- Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
