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Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.3 from 89 reviews
  • Author: Kimberly
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This vibrant Cranberry Orange Chicken recipe offers a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. Tender, seared chicken breasts simmer in a luscious sauce made from fresh cranberries, orange juice, and honey, enhanced with garlic, balsamic vinegar, and thyme. Ready in just 30 minutes, this delightful dish is ideal for a quick yet impressive weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

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

  1. Heat the oil: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat to prepare for searing the chicken.
  2. Sear the chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Place them in the hot skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
  4. Make the sauce: Add cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, honey, balsamic vinegar, and dried thyme into the skillet. Simmer gently for about 5 minutes, allowing the cranberries to burst and the sauce to thicken.
  5. Simmer chicken in sauce: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon some of the sauce over them, cover with a lid, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
  6. Rest and serve: Remove the chicken from the heat and let it rest for a few minutes. Serve with extra sauce drizzled on top for full flavor.

Notes

  • Use fresh or frozen cranberries depending on availability; frozen works well and can be added directly without thawing.
  • For a vegan variation, substitute chicken breasts with firm tofu or seitan and adjust cooking times accordingly.
  • Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure safety and juiciness.
  • Orange zest can be obtained using a microplane or fine grater for the best flavor release.
  • Honey can be swapped with maple syrup to make the recipe vegan-friendly without compromising sweetness.

Find it online: https://slsrecipes.com/cranberry-orange-chicken-recipe/