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Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken

Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken
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Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken is a quick and easy one-pan meal that combines juicy chicken breasts with a tangy-sweet cranberry orange sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it offers a delightful balance of citrus brightness and tart cranberry flavors, perfect for busy weeknights or festive dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Sauce

  • 1 cup fresh cranberries (or frozen)
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1 tsp orange zest (fresh)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth (gluten-free if needed)
  • 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup

Optional Garnishes and Herbs

  • Fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs
  • Freshly chopped parsley
  • Orange slices
  • Extra cranberries
  • Toasted pecans or walnuts (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the chicken and cook until golden brown on both sides and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
  2. Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant. Then, stir in fresh cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, chicken broth, and honey. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil; the cranberries will soften and burst, creating a rich, tangy sauce.
  3. Simmer and Combine: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet and reduce the heat to low. Let everything simmer together for 5 to 7 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and the chicken to soak up those vibrant flavors.
  4. Finish and Serve: If using fresh herbs, sprinkle them over the dish just before serving. Spoon the luscious cranberry orange sauce over the chicken, and enjoy this colorful plate packed with flavor and comfort.

Notes

  • Don’t overcrowd the pan: Brown chicken in batches if necessary to ensure a nice sear.
  • Use fresh orange zest for better aroma and flavor.
  • Adjust honey or maple syrup gradually to suit your preferred sweetness.
  • Simmer until sauce is slightly thickened for a glossy coating.
  • Choose quality ingredients like fresh cranberries and good olive oil for best results.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry chicken, orange chicken, skillet chicken, quick dinner, healthy chicken recipe, gluten free chicken

Find it online: https://eazyum.com/skillet-cranberry-orange-chicken/