Description
A vibrant one-pan dinner featuring golden-seared chicken simmered in a sweet-tart cranberry orange sauce with fresh cranberries, orange zest and juice, honey, garlic, and thyme. Ideal for festive gatherings or elegant weeknight meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 large orange (zested and juiced)
- 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh thyme or rosemary (or ½ tsp dried)
- ½ cup chicken broth or water
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar or Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Zest and juice the orange. Pat chicken dry; season with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Sear chicken 3–4 minutes per side until golden. Remove to plate.
- Sauté garlic 30 seconds in skillet. Add cranberries, orange juice, zest, honey, broth, and thyme. Simmer 5–7 minutes until cranberries soften and burst. Mash some for thicker sauce. Add balsamic or Dijon if desired.
- Return chicken to skillet; spoon sauce over. Cover and simmer low 8–10 minutes until cooked through (165°F / 74°C).
- Remove lid; simmer 1–2 minutes to thicken sauce. Serve warm with extra sauce and garnish with thyme or zest.
Notes
Use heavy skillet for best sear and even cooking.
Taste and adjust honey, vinegar, or mustard to balance flavor.
Frozen cranberries can be used—cook slightly longer.
Pairs well with wild rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables.
Store leftovers refrigerated up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet / Stovetop
- Cuisine: American / Holiday
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: cranberry orange chicken, holiday chicken skillet, one pan chicken recipe, festive chicken dinner, citrus cranberry sauce