EASY SKILLET CRANBERRY ORANGE CHICKEN

Are you tired of the same old chicken dinners and craving something vibrant, flavorful, and a little bit special? Imagine tender chicken bathed in a tangy-sweet cranberry orange sauce, all cooked in one skillet for easy cleanup. Let’s make this incredible Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken, and I promise it’ll become a new family favorite!

The Magic of Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken

Okay, friend, let’s be honest: weeknight dinners can be a drag. But this Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken? It’s a total game-changer. It’s got that perfect balance of sweet and savory, it’s visually stunning with the vibrant cranberries and orange zest, and it all comes together in one skillet. Yes, ONE skillet! No mountains of dishes after this deliciousness. You know I’m all about making life easier (and tastier!), and this recipe definitely delivers.

What makes this recipe different, you ask? Well, besides the ease of a one-pan meal, it’s the incredible depth of flavor. The cranberry orange sauce isn’t just a simple glaze; it’s a carefully crafted blend of tart cranberries, bright orange zest and juice, and a touch of sweetness that perfectly complements the savory chicken. And the skillet cooking method ensures that the chicken stays juicy and tender while the sauce thickens to a beautiful, glossy finish. It’s seriously next-level delicious!

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

For the Cranberry Orange Sauce:

• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup honey (or maple syrup)
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water)

Optional Garnishes:

• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Orange slices
• Toasted pecans or walnuts

Step-by-Step Instructions

Get Started:

1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps them brown nicely.
2. In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
3. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts.

Sear the Chicken:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Make sure the skillet is large enough to hold all the chicken breasts in a single layer.
2. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the chicken breasts in the skillet.
3. Sear for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown. The chicken doesn’t need to be cooked through at this point, just nicely browned.
4. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.

Make the Cranberry Orange Sauce:

1. In the same skillet, add the cranberries, orange juice, honey (or maple syrup), orange zest, apple cider vinegar, ginger, and cinnamon.
2. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
3. Let the sauce simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the cranberries start to burst and the sauce begins to thicken slightly.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. This will help thicken the sauce.
5. Pour the cornstarch slurry into the skillet and stir constantly until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. This should only take a minute or two.

Combine and Finish:

1. Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the cranberry orange sauce.
2. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 10-15 minutes, or until it is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
3. Remove the skillet from the heat and let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.

Garnish and Serve:

1. Garnish with fresh parsley, orange slices, and toasted pecans or walnuts, if desired.
2. Serve the Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken hot over rice, quinoa, or mashed potatoes. It’s also delicious with a side of roasted vegetables like broccoli or asparagus.

Tips and Tricks for Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken Perfection

Okay, friend, let’s talk about some secrets to make this Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken even more amazing. Because, let’s face it, a little extra guidance never hurts!

• Don’t overcrowd the pan: When searing the chicken, make sure not to overcrowd the skillet. If you do, the chicken will steam instead of brown. If necessary, sear the chicken in batches.
• Adjust the sweetness: Taste the cranberry orange sauce before adding the cornstarch slurry. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add a little more honey or maple syrup. If you prefer a tarter sauce, add a splash more of apple cider vinegar.
• Fresh vs. Frozen Cranberries: You can use either fresh or frozen cranberries for this recipe. If using frozen cranberries, there’s no need to thaw them first. Just add them directly to the skillet.
• Orange Zest is Key: Don’t skip the orange zest! It adds a bright, citrusy flavor that really elevates the sauce. Make sure to zest the orange before juicing it.
• Thickening the Sauce: If your sauce isn’t thickening enough after adding the cornstarch slurry, simmer it for a few more minutes, stirring constantly. If it becomes too thick, add a splash of orange juice or water to thin it out.
• Make it Ahead: You can make the cranberry orange sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to cook the chicken, simply sear it and then add it to the sauce in the skillet.

Serving Suggestions and Delicious Pairings

This Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of sides. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Grains: Serve it over fluffy white rice, brown rice, quinoa, or couscous.
• Potatoes: Mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, or sweet potato fries are all great options.
• Vegetables: Roasted broccoli, asparagus, green beans, or Brussels sprouts are delicious and healthy sides.
• Salad: A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing adds a refreshing contrast to the rich sauce.
• Bread: Crusty bread or rolls are perfect for soaking up the delicious cranberry orange sauce.

For a truly festive meal, consider serving this Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken with Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites as an appetizer and Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball for a delightful snack. And don’t forget a side of homemade Cranberry Orange Sauce to really elevate the cranberry flavor!

Variations to Spice Things Up

Want to put your own spin on this recipe? Here are a few variations you can try:

• Add Nuts: Stir in toasted pecans, walnuts, or almonds to the sauce for added crunch and flavor.
• Use Different Citrus: Experiment with using mandarin oranges, blood oranges, or grapefruit instead of regular oranges.
• Add Heat: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a touch of heat.
• Make it Vegetarian: Substitute the chicken with firm tofu or tempeh. Sear the tofu or tempeh just like you would the chicken.
• Try Different Herbs: Add fresh rosemary or thyme to the sauce for a more savory flavor.
• Use Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs also work well in this recipe. They’ll need a slightly longer cooking time.

You can even use this same sauce for Honey Garlic Chicken, it pairs well with many chicken recipes.

Why This Recipe Will Be Your New Go-To

Let’s be real, friend, we all need those reliable, delicious recipes that we can whip up on a busy weeknight. This Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken ticks all the boxes: it’s easy to make, uses simple ingredients, and is packed with flavor. Plus, the fact that it’s a one-pan meal means less time cleaning up and more time enjoying your delicious creation. And hey, you could even take some inspiration and make some Cheesy Garlic Chicken Wraps!

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your skillet, gather your ingredients, and let’s get cooking! I know you’re going to love this Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken as much as I do. And remember, cooking should be fun and enjoyable. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make this recipe your own. Happy cooking!

Easy Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken

This one-pan skillet cranberry orange chicken is a vibrant and flavorful weeknight meal. Tender chicken breasts are cooked in a tangy-sweet cranberry orange sauce, making for easy cleanup and a delicious family favorite. Perfect served over rice, quinoa, or mashed potatoes.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 450

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• Fresh parsley, chopped optional
• Orange slices optional
• Toasted pecans or walnuts optional

Equipment

• Large Skillet
• Small bowl
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Paper towels
• Spatula
• Plate

Method

 

1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
2. In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
3. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts.
4. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
5. Carefully place the chicken breasts in the skillet.
6. Sear for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
7. In the same skillet, add the cranberries, orange juice, honey (or maple syrup), orange zest, apple cider vinegar, ginger, and cinnamon.
8. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
9. Let the sauce simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the cranberries start to burst and the sauce begins to thicken slightly.
10. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry.
11. Pour the cornstarch slurry into the skillet and stir constantly until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
12. Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the cranberry orange sauce.
13. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 10-15 minutes, or until it is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
14. Remove the skillet from the heat and let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
15. Garnish with fresh parsley, orange slices, and toasted pecans or walnuts, if desired.
16. Serve the Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken hot over rice, quinoa, or mashed potatoes.

Notes

Don’t overcrowd the pan when searing the chicken. Adjust the sweetness of the sauce to your preference. Fresh or frozen cranberries can be used. Orange zest is key for flavor. You can make the cranberry orange sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For variations, add nuts, use different citrus fruits, add heat with red pepper flakes, substitute chicken with tofu or tempeh, try different herbs, or use chicken thighs.