Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe
A vibrant and flavorful Cranberry Orange Chicken recipe featuring tender boneless chicken breasts simmered in a tangy and sweet cranberry orange sauce, enhanced with garlic, thyme, and a touch of balsamic vinegar. Perfect for a healthy and elegant dinner that combines classic fall flavors with a fresh, zesty twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
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)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts or thighs with salt, pepper, and a pinch of fresh thyme or rosemary. Optionally marinate for 30 minutes for enhanced flavor, though it’s not required.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook 4-6 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Make the Cranberry Orange Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, and honey or maple syrup. Stir and simmer for 5-7 minutes until cranberries burst and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return chicken to the skillet and spoon sauce over the top. Add chicken broth, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard, scraping the pan’s browned bits into the sauce for flavor. Cover and simmer on low heat for 10-12 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internally.
- Serve: Once cooked, spoon additional cranberry orange sauce on top. Garnish with fresh herbs or extra orange zest if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs or breasts based on your preference.
- Use fresh cranberries for best flavor, but frozen can be used in a pinch.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying honey or maple syrup to taste.
- Leftover chicken and sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Serve with rice, quinoa, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce (approximately 6 oz)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: cranberry chicken, orange chicken, healthy chicken recipe, fall recipes, chicken with fruit sauce
Find it online: https://todayfoodrecipe.com/cranberry-orange-chicken-recipe/
