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Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken

Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken
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Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken is a quick and flavorful dish combining juicy seared chicken breasts with a vibrant sauce made from fresh cranberries, orange juice and zest, honey, and chicken broth. Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pan meal offers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors, ideal for busy weeknights or an elegant yet simple dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

Sauce and Aromatics

  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 1 cup chicken broth (use gluten-free if needed)

Fats and Seasonings

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Optional herbs: thyme or rosemary, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Zest the orange and squeeze out fresh juice. Rinse fresh cranberries, and pat chicken breasts dry thoroughly for a good sear.
  2. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Brown chicken on each side until golden, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  3. Cook Aromatics and Cranberries: In the same skillet, add finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add fresh cranberries and cook until they start popping and soften, releasing their tartness.
  4. Create the Sauce: Pour in fresh orange juice, orange zest, honey (or maple syrup), and chicken broth. Stir well, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and flavors meld.
  5. Finish Cooking Chicken in Sauce: Return chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon sauce over them, cover, and simmer on low heat for 7-10 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and tender.
  6. Serve and Enjoy: Remove the lid, allow the sauce to reduce a little longer if desired, then plate the chicken and spoon the cranberry orange sauce generously on top.

Notes

  • Pat chicken dry for a perfect golden crust when searing.
  • Use fresh cranberries and real orange juice for the best flavor.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan; sear chicken in batches if needed to avoid steaming.
  • Adjust sweetness by adding honey or syrup gradually to taste.
  • Simmer gently on low heat to keep chicken juicy while cooking in the sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry chicken, orange chicken, skillet chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, gluten free chicken

Find it online: https://dailydishez.com/skillet-cranberry-orange-chicken/