Description
A vibrant and flavorful Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken featuring tender chicken thighs cooked to perfection in a zesty citrus cranberry glaze. This one-pan meal offers a beautiful balance of tangy orange, sweet honey, and tart cranberries, making it perfect for a festive dinner or a cozy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Sauce
- 1/4 cup finely diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (optional, for thickening)
Garnish
- Fresh thyme or rosemary (optional)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry and season evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme on both sides to enhance the flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken thighs and cook for 4–5 minutes per side until they are browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add the finely diced onion to the skillet and sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds to release its aroma.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Pour in the orange juice, orange zest, chicken broth, honey, balsamic vinegar, and cranberries. Stir to combine all ingredients well.
- Simmer the Sauce: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 6–8 minutes until the cranberries start to burst and the sauce slightly reduces, intensifying the flavors.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If a thicker consistency is desired, stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer for an additional 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Return Chicken to Skillet: Place the chicken thighs back into the skillet. Spoon the cranberry orange sauce over the chicken and simmer for another 2–3 minutes to heat everything through and meld flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh thyme or rosemary if desired, then serve warm alongside your favorite sides.
Notes
- This dish pairs beautifully with wild rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
- You can substitute boneless chicken breasts if preferred; just adjust cooking time to ensure thorough cooking without drying out.
- Fresh cranberries provide the best texture and burst of tartness, but frozen cranberries are a convenient and effective alternative.
