Get ready to fall in love with a dish that absolutely sings with bright, zesty flavors: Cranberry Orange Chicken. Tender, golden-seared chicken breasts are bathed in a sweet-tart, citrusy sauce, studded with juicy cranberries and kissed with fresh orange zest. Every ingredient comes together in harmony, creating a main course that feels festive enough for a party but easy enough for a weeknight dinner. Whether you’re craving something new for busy nights or searching for a holiday-worthy centerpiece, Cranberry Orange Chicken is truly a celebration of bold color and irresistible flavor!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Cranberry Orange Chicken lies in its handful of well-chosen ingredients. Each component is simple, but together they create a stunning balance of savory, sweet, and tangy notes. Here’s what you’ll need and why every element earns its place in the dish:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: The perfect blank canvas, chicken breasts cook up juicy and allow the vibrant sauce to shine.
- Olive oil: Gives the chicken golden, crisp edges while keeping everything moist and flavorful.
- Orange juice (freshly squeezed): This is the secret to a zingy, aromatic sauce with natural sweetness and acidity.
- Orange zest: Adds an extra layer of citrus without extra liquid, infusing every bite with fresh orange aroma.
- Honey or maple syrup: Offers subtle sweetness and body to the sauce; both options pair beautifully with cranberries and citrus.
- Fresh or frozen cranberries: Bursts of juicy tartness; they bring a pop of color and their signature festive flavor.
- Garlic (minced): Adds savory depth and a hint of warmth that balances the sauce’s sweetness.
- Dijon mustard: Just a touch helps bind the flavors together and gives a gentle tang to complement the fruits.
- Dried thyme: Earthy and aromatic, thyme rounds out the flavors of the sauce with an herbal note.
- Salt & black pepper: Essential for seasoning the chicken and enhancing all the flavors in the pan.
- Fresh rosemary or thyme (optional): A beautiful, fragrant garnish if you want to make your Cranberry Orange Chicken extra special.
How to Make Cranberry Orange Chicken
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Chicken
First things first—preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) while you prep the chicken. Pat the chicken breasts dry, then sprinkle them with salt and black pepper on both sides. This quick step ensures the meat will sear up with a beautiful golden crust and seasoned flavor all the way through.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Set an oven-safe skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once it’s shimmering, lay in the chicken breasts. Give them space to develop lovely color—about 2 to 3 minutes per side. You’re not fully cooking them here, just creating a flavorful crust that will hold up to the sauce. Once they’re nicely golden, remove the pan from the heat (but keep the chicken in the pan).
Step 3: Mix the Sauce
Now comes the fun part! In a bowl, whisk together the orange juice, zesty orange peel, honey (or maple syrup), minced garlic, Dijon mustard, and dried thyme. It will look and smell amazing already: bright, tangy, a touch sweet, and full of herbs and citrus. This fragrant sauce is what takes Cranberry Orange Chicken over the top!
Step 4: Add Cranberries and Sauce
Pour your citrusy sauce all over the chicken in the skillet, making sure each piece gets coated in goodness. Next, scatter those fresh or frozen cranberries all around, letting them nestle between the chicken breasts. The cranberries will soften and burst in the oven, infusing the sauce with color and flavor.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Transfer the entire skillet to your preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken registers 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part. As it cooks, the chicken absorbs all those delicious flavors and the cranberries become tender jewels. When it’s done, spoon plenty of the cranberry-orange sauce over the chicken, making sure everyone gets a taste of the best part. Don’t forget those juices hiding at the bottom!
How to Serve Cranberry Orange Chicken
Garnishes
Top your Cranberry Orange Chicken with a sprinkling of fresh rosemary or thyme for that restaurant-style flair. A little extra orange zest or even a few thin slices of fresh orange can make things look and taste even more vibrant. These finishing touches not only wake up the senses but make your dish look as joyful as it tastes.
Side Dishes
This dish deserves some fabulous partners on the plate. Fluffy wild rice, nutty quinoa, or creamy mashed potatoes soak up all that luscious sauce beautifully. On the veggie side, try roasted Brussels sprouts or green beans for a pop of color and texture. The goal is to keep sides simple, letting the bold flavors of your Cranberry Orange Chicken shine brightest.
Creative Ways to Present
To make a true centerpiece, slice the chicken breasts and fan them out on a platter, then drizzle with the sauce and sprinkle with cranberries. If you’re serving a crowd, nestle everything over a bed of rice or greens for easy, elegant family-style dining. For an extra pop, add orange rounds or extra thyme sprigs on the serving platter—it’s a feast for the eyes as well as the palate!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any extra Cranberry Orange Chicken keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Let the chicken cool to room temperature before sealing it up, and try to store the sauce and chicken together so the flavors stay infused.
Freezing
Cranberry Orange Chicken is actually freezer-friendly! Store cooled chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. For best results, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. The sauce may separate slightly after freezing, but a quick stir when reheating brings it right back together.
Reheating
To reheat, cover the chicken and sauce loosely with foil and warm in a 325°F oven until heated through. For a quicker option, gently reheat individual portions in the microwave, spooning some sauce over the chicken to keep it moist. If the sauce thickens up too much, simply add a splash of orange juice or water to loosen it.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are juicy and flavorful, making them a fantastic choice for Cranberry Orange Chicken. Cooking time may increase slightly, so make sure to check for doneness.
Is it possible to use dried cranberries?
You can swap in dried cranberries if fresh or frozen aren’t available. Dried cranberries are sweeter, so reduce the honey or maple syrup just a bit. If you like, soak them in a little orange juice before adding for extra plumpness.
Can I make this dish ahead for a party?
Definitely! You can prepare Cranberry Orange Chicken up to a day ahead. Store it with the sauce and gently reheat before serving. It actually gets even more flavorful as the flavors continue to meld.
What if I don’t have an oven-safe skillet?
No problem! Sear the chicken in any skillet, then transfer everything to a baking dish before pouring over the sauce and popping it in the oven. The results will be just as delicious.
What’s the best way to boost the orange flavor?
For even more citrus punch, add thin slices of orange on top before baking or finish with extra zest. A tablespoon of triple sec (orange liqueur) stirred into the sauce is a grown-up, aromatic upgrade!
Final Thoughts
If you love easy, vibrant meals with a wow factor, Cranberry Orange Chicken will quickly become a staple on your table. The combination of juicy chicken, tangy cranberries, and bright orange feels like a little celebration every time you make it. Don’t hesitate—give this dish a try and let it bring a burst of cheer to your dinner routine!
Print
Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Cranberry Orange Chicken recipe is a delightful combination of savory and sweet flavors that will impress your dinner guests. Juicy chicken breasts are roasted with a tangy orange-cranberry sauce, creating a festive dish perfect for the holiday season.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish:
- fresh rosemary or thyme for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Season chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Sear chicken: In a large oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 2–3 minutes on each side until golden. Remove from heat.
- Prepare sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, orange zest, honey, garlic, Dijon mustard, and thyme. Pour over the chicken in the skillet. Add cranberries around the chicken.
- Bake: Transfer skillet to the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes until internal temperature of chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Spoon sauce over chicken before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- This dish pairs well with wild rice, quinoa, or roasted vegetables.
- For extra citrus flavor, add thin orange slices on top before baking.
- Can be made with chicken thighs for juicier results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
