Description
This Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken is a festive, flavorful dish featuring golden-seared chicken simmered in a sweet-tart cranberry-orange glaze perfect for holidays or cozy winter dinners.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
1/2 cup orange juice
2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp orange zest
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp cinnamon
Fresh rosemary or orange slices for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Season chicken with salt and pepper on both sides.
2. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Add chicken and sear 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add cranberries, orange juice, honey, balsamic vinegar, orange zest, thyme, and cinnamon.
5. Simmer for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and sauce thickens slightly.
6. Return chicken to skillet, spoon sauce over the top, and simmer 2–3 more minutes to coat.
7. Garnish with rosemary or orange slices and serve warm with rice or mashed potatoes.
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in orange juice and herbs for 30 minutes before cooking.
Can be made with pork chops or salmon for a twist.
Leftovers taste amazing the next day — the sauce gets richer as it sits.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast + sauce
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: cranberry orange chicken, holiday chicken recipe, skillet chicken, festive dinner