Description
Delight your taste buds with this festive and vibrant Cranberry Orange Chicken, combining juicy chicken with sweet-tart cranberries and fresh citrus notes. Simple yet elegant, this dish is perfect for a cozy dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
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4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
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1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
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1 large orange (zest and juice)
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2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 teaspoon fresh thyme or rosemary (½ tsp dried)
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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½ cup chicken broth or water
Optional:
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1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
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1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Instructions
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Prepare Chicken: Season chicken with salt, pepper, and herbs. Optionally marinate for 30 minutes.
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Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 4–6 minutes per side until golden. Remove from skillet.
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Make Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté garlic briefly. Add cranberries, orange zest and juice, and honey/maple syrup. Cook 5–7 minutes until cranberries burst and sauce slightly thickens.
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Simmer Together: Return chicken to skillet. Add chicken broth, scraping skillet to release browned bits. Cover and simmer on low for 10–12 minutes, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Serve: Spoon sauce generously over chicken. Garnish with extra orange zest or fresh herbs.
Notes
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Thighs provide a juicier result, while breasts offer a leaner meal.
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Adding balsamic vinegar or Dijon mustard deepens flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus optional marinating)
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American