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
Scale
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
