Description
This Cranberry Orange Chicken recipe features tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts cooked in a vibrant, tangy-sweet sauce made from fresh cranberries, orange juice, honey, and balsamic vinegar. Pan-seared to golden perfection and simmered in the flavorful sauce, it’s a delightful dish perfect for a quick and elegant weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Instructions
- Heat olive oil: Place a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil, allowing it to warm up for a minute.
- Season and sear chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt and black pepper. Once the oil is hot, place the chicken breasts in the skillet and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds or until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Prepare the sauce: Stir in the cranberries, fresh orange juice, orange zest, honey (or maple syrup), balsamic vinegar, and dried thyme. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the cranberries to burst and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Simmer chicken in sauce: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet and spoon some of the sauce over them. Cover the skillet with a lid and let the chicken simmer gently for 10-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Rest and serve: Remove the skillet from heat and let the chicken rest for a few minutes to retain juices. Serve the chicken breasts topped with extra cranberry orange sauce from the skillet.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen cranberries depending on availability; frozen cranberries work well and need no thawing.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of honey or maple syrup to your taste.
- For a thicker sauce, simmer a bit longer until desired consistency is reached.
- Serve with steamed rice, mashed potatoes, or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
