🎉 Introduction
This Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken is everything a winter comfort meal should be — juicy seared chicken simmered in a glossy cranberry-orange pan sauce that’s tangy, sweet, savory, and beautifully balanced. Fresh cranberries burst into the sauce, orange zest brightens every bite, and a hint of garlic and herbs brings cozy depth.
It’s fast, festive, and perfect for weeknights or holiday dinners. All made in one skillet, ready in under 30 minutes, and gorgeous enough to serve to guests. This dish tastes like holiday magic in savory form — bright, comforting, and irresistibly delicious.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Large skillet
- Wooden spoon
- Zester or microplane
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Tongs
🛒 Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts (or 6 thighs)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- Salt & pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
Cranberry Orange Sauce
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- ½ cup orange juice (fresh preferred)
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp dried rosemary
- Salt & pepper to taste
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh rosemary
- Orange slices
- Extra cranberries (lightly cooked or fresh)
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Season & Sear the Chicken
Season chicken on both sides with:
- salt
- pepper
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- paprika
Heat olive oil + butter in a skillet over medium-high.
Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden.
Remove from skillet and set aside.
Step 2: Build the Cranberry Orange Sauce
In the same skillet add:
- garlic (cook 20–30 sec)
- cranberries
- orange juice
- orange zest
- honey/maple
- broth
- Dijon
- thyme
- rosemary
Simmer 5–6 minutes, stirring gently, until cranberries burst and sauce thickens into a glossy glaze.
Step 3: Return Chicken & Simmer
Return seared chicken to the skillet.
Spoon sauce over the top.
Simmer uncovered 6–10 minutes until chicken is cooked through
(165°F internal temperature).
Sauce should be thick, shiny, and spoonable.
Step 4: Serve
Plate chicken and drizzle generously with the cranberry-orange sauce.
Garnish with:
- fresh rosemary sprigs
- orange slices
- extra burst cranberries
Serve over:
- mashed potatoes
- wild rice
- couscous
- creamy polenta
- buttered noodles
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: ~30 minutes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator: 3–4 days
Freezer: Up to 2 months (sauce freezes well too)
Reheat in a skillet with a splash of broth or orange juice to keep it glossy.
🥄 Variations
- Cranberry Orange Chicken Thighs – Thighs stay extra juicy.
- Creamy Cranberry Sauce – Add ¼ cup heavy cream at the end.
- Spicy Cranberry Chicken – Add ½ tsp red pepper flakes.
- Balsamic Cranberry Chicken – Add 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar.
- Honey-Garlic Orange Chicken – Increase honey + extra garlic.
- Fresh Herb Upgrade – Add rosemary + thyme sprigs during simmer.
- Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken Tenders – Faster kid-friendly version.
- Paleo Version – Use coconut aminos + maple syrup.
- Orange Cranberry Chicken with Pecans – Top with toasted pecans.
- Holiday Dinner Version – Serve with stuffing + roasted veggies.
❓ 10 FAQs
- Can I use frozen cranberries?
Yes — no thaw needed. - Can I use bone-in chicken?
Yes, increase simmer time until cooked through. - How do I make the sauce thicker?
Simmer longer or add 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tsp water. - Can I make this ahead?
Yes — reheats beautifully. - Is this dish sweet?
Lightly sweet; balance comes from citrus + herbs. - Can I use cranberry sauce?
Yes — use ½ cup canned cranberries and reduce honey. - Can I add veggies?
Sauté onions or add spinach at the end. - Can I use chicken thighs?
Absolutely — great for tenderness. - What if my sauce is too tart?
Add 1 extra tbsp honey/maple. - What if my sauce is too sweet?
Add splash of vinegar or extra orange zest.
🏁 Conclusion
This Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken brings together everything wonderful about winter cooking — bright citrus, tart cranberries, warm herbs, juicy chicken, and silky pan sauce. It’s fast, festive, comforting, and gorgeous enough for a Christmas dinner yet easy enough for a weeknight.
A cozy, flavorful dish that celebrates winter’s best ingredients.
Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken – Sweet, Savory & Perfect for Cozy Winter Nights
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Ingredients
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Equipment
Method
- Season chicken on both sides with:
- salt
- pepper
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- paprika
- Heat olive oil + butter in a skillet over medium-high.
- Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden.
- Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet add:
- garlic (cook 20–30 sec)
- cranberries
- orange juice
- orange zest
- honey/maple
- broth
- Dijon
- thyme
- rosemary
- Simmer 5–6 minutes, stirring gently, until cranberries burst and sauce thickens into a glossy glaze.
- Return seared chicken to the skillet.
- Spoon sauce over the top.
- Simmer uncovered 6–10 minutes until chicken is cooked through
- (165°F internal temperature).
- Sauce should be thick, shiny, and spoonable.
- Plate chicken and drizzle generously with the cranberry-orange sauce.
- Garnish with:
- fresh rosemary sprigs
- orange slices
- extra burst cranberries
- Serve over:
- mashed potatoes
- wild rice
- couscous
- creamy polenta
- buttered noodles
Notes
Freezer: Up to 2 months (sauce freezes well too) Reheat in a skillet with a splash of broth or orange juice to keep it glossy. 🥄 Variations Cranberry Orange Chicken Thighs – Thighs stay extra juicy. Creamy Cranberry Sauce – Add ¼ cup heavy cream at the end. Spicy Cranberry Chicken – Add ½ tsp red pepper flakes. Balsamic Cranberry Chicken – Add 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar. Honey-Garlic Orange Chicken – Increase honey + extra garlic. Fresh Herb Upgrade – Add rosemary + thyme sprigs during simmer. Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken Tenders – Faster kid-friendly version. Paleo Version – Use coconut aminos + maple syrup. Orange Cranberry Chicken with Pecans – Top with toasted pecans. Holiday Dinner Version – Serve with stuffing + roasted veggies. ❓ 10 FAQs Can I use frozen cranberries?
Yes — no thaw needed. Can I use bone-in chicken?
Yes, increase simmer time until cooked through. How do I make the sauce thicker?
Simmer longer or add 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tsp water. Can I make this ahead?
Yes — reheats beautifully. Is this dish sweet?
Lightly sweet; balance comes from citrus + herbs. Can I use cranberry sauce?
Yes — use ½ cup canned cranberries and reduce honey. Can I add veggies?
Sauté onions or add spinach at the end. Can I use chicken thighs?
Absolutely — great for tenderness. What if my sauce is too tart?
Add 1 extra tbsp honey/maple. What if my sauce is too sweet?
Add splash of vinegar or extra orange zest. 🏁 Conclusion This Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken brings together everything wonderful about winter cooking — bright citrus, tart cranberries, warm herbs, juicy chicken, and silky pan sauce. It’s fast, festive, comforting, and gorgeous enough for a Christmas dinner yet easy enough for a weeknight. A cozy, flavorful dish that celebrates winter’s best ingredients.
