If you’re looking for an easy yet impressive dinner, Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken is a festive showstopper that delivers big flavors with surprisingly little effort. Imagine juicy chicken breasts soaking up a glossy, sweet-tart sauce of fresh cranberries, zesty orange, a touch of honey, and savory soy, all cooked together in just one pan. Whether you’re planning a cozy weeknight meal or want a stunning main for a holiday table, this dish hits every note – bright, vibrant, and wonderfully comforting.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s pull together a handful of kitchen staples and a few fresh accents for Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken. Each ingredient has a role, bringing depth, brightness, or that signature burst of sweet-tart flavor.
- Chicken Breasts: Choose boneless, skinless breasts for maximum tenderness and quick cooking.
- Salt: Just a teaspoon enhances all the flavors and helps the chicken stay juicy.
- Black Pepper: Adds a bit of mellow heat and rounds out the savory notes.
- Olive Oil: Provides a golden sear and richness to the chicken.
- Orange Juice: The foundation for the sauce, lending bright acidity and freshness.
- Orange Zest: Packs an even bigger orange punch by infusing citrusy fragrance throughout the dish.
- Honey: Brings a gentle sweetness that beautifully balances the tangy cranberries.
- Soy Sauce: Offers complexity and saltiness for perfectly balanced flavor.
- Garlic: Two cloves, minced, create a savory backbone and delightful aroma.
- Fresh Thyme Leaves: Herbaceous and fragrant, thyme pairs so well with both chicken and citrus.
- Red Pepper Flakes (optional): Add just a touch for gentle heat, or skip for a mellower flavor.
- Fresh or Frozen Cranberries: These pop in the skillet, adding color and a tart punch that makes the sauce sparkle.
- Unsalted Butter: Stirred in at the end, it brings gloss and silkiness to the sauce.
- Fresh Parsley: The final flourish for a burst of green and a little extra freshness.
How to Make Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken
Step 1: Season the Chicken
First, lay out your chicken breasts and generously season both sides with salt and black pepper. This step is the key to juicy, flavorful chicken, so make sure you cover every nook and cranny. If your chicken pieces are thick, you can gently pound them to an even thickness using a meat mallet, which helps them cook evenly and stay extra tender.
Step 2: Sear for Flavor
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add your chicken breasts. Sear them without moving for 4 to 5 minutes per side, turning once they’re golden brown with a nice crust. This browning step deepens the flavors and creates those delicious pan juices you want in the final dish.
Step 3: Mix the Sauce
While the chicken sizzles, whisk together orange juice, orange zest, honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, fresh thyme leaves, and (if you like a little heat) those red pepper flakes. This simple mixture is what transforms your skillet chicken from plain to unforgettable. Don’t skip the zest – it really makes the citrus flavor pop!
Step 4: Simmer with Cranberries
Pour your sauce mixture right into the hot skillet with the chicken. Add the fresh or frozen cranberries, scattering them evenly around the chicken. Reduce heat to medium and let everything simmer uncovered for 12 to 15 minutes. Baste the chicken with the bubbling sauce as it cooks and watch the berries burst, turning the sauce a gorgeous ruby red while it thickens.
Step 5: Finish with Butter and Serve
Once the chicken is cooked through (a thermometer should read 165°F or 74°C), stir in the unsalted butter. This last step creates a glossy, velvety sauce that clings to every bite. Top with lots of freshly chopped parsley and serve Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken warm, with all the juices spooned over the top.
How to Serve Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken
Garnishes
A finishing sprinkle of fresh parsley is all you need for a dash of color and a hint of garden-fresh flavor. If you’re feeling fancy, a little extra orange zest over the top or a scattering of whole cranberries makes this dish look extra festive on the table.
Side Dishes
Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken pairs beautifully with fluffy wild rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables. A crusty baguette to soak up that tangy-sweet sauce is always a welcome addition too. Mix and match to suit your mood or what you have on hand.
Creative Ways to Present
For an elegant dinner party, slice the chicken on a diagonal, fan it out on a platter and pour the cranberry orange sauce over the top. You can also serve it in the skillet family-style for a cozy, communal feel, or use leftovers sliced into salads or sandwiches for a punchy, protein-packed lunch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have extra Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken, let it cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually intensify overnight, making leftovers even more craveable the next day.
Freezing
You can freeze Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken for longer storage. Cool the chicken and sauce, then pack in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, removing as much air as possible. It’ll keep beautifully for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve the best texture.
Reheating
For reheating, add the chicken and sauce to a skillet over low to medium heat, adding a splash of water or orange juice if the sauce needs loosening. Keep the heat gentle to avoid drying out the chicken, warming until hot throughout. For small portions, you can cover and microwave until steamy, but stovetop usually keeps things juicier.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a great swap if you prefer juicier, more flavorful meat. They’ll cook in about the same time; just make sure they reach that safe 165°F (74°C) internal temperature for serving.
What if I can’t find fresh cranberries?
No worries – frozen cranberries work just as well and are available most of the year. You don’t need to thaw them first; simply toss them in the skillet and continue as written for Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken.
Is this dish very sweet?
It strikes a beautiful balance of sweet and savory, thanks to the honey and cranberries playing off the soy sauce and garlic. If you like it less sweet, reduce the honey a little or add more cranberries for even more tartness.
Can I make this recipe dairy free?
Definitely! Just swap out the butter at the end for a dairy-free alternative or leave it out. The sauce will still have plenty of richness from the olive oil and all those wonderful flavors.
What’s the best way to zest an orange?
Use a microplane or fine grater, and be sure to take just the brightly colored outer layer, leaving the bitter white pith behind. Fresh zest really makes the Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken shine with bold citrus flavor.
Final Thoughts
There’s something magical about how simple ingredients can create such complex, cheerful flavors. Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken is a dish that brings people together, sparkles on the plate, and tastes like a celebration every time. Give it a try – it just might become your new signature dinner!
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Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Simmering
- Cuisine: American, Holiday-Inspired
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken dish is a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors, making it a delightful choice for a holiday-inspired dinner. Tender chicken breasts are seared to perfection and then simmered in a flavorful orange-cranberry sauce. The addition of fresh thyme and a hint of red pepper flakes adds depth to the dish, while the cranberries provide a burst of tartness. Serve this dish with your favorite sides for a complete and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Orange-Cranberry Sauce:
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, orange zest, honey, soy sauce, garlic, thyme, and red pepper flakes.
- Cook the Chicken: Pour sauce into the skillet, then add cranberries. Reduce heat to medium and simmer uncovered for 12–15 minutes, basting chicken occasionally, until sauce thickens and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Finish and Serve: Stir in butter for a glossy finish. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- This dish pairs perfectly with wild rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier version.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
