Skillet Cranberry Chicken Recipe
This Skillet Cranberry Chicken recipe features juicy, seared chicken breasts cooked in a vibrant cranberry-orange sauce, combining sweet and tangy flavors with warm spices. Perfect for a quick and elegant weeknight dinner, this dish is completed with aromatic herbs for garnish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
Sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup fresh cranberries (or frozen)
- ½ cup orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
- 2 tbsp honey (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp orange zest
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup chicken broth
- Fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until they develop a golden brown crust. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside temporarily.
- Prepare the Cranberry Orange Sauce: Lower the heat to medium. Using the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in fresh or frozen cranberries, orange juice, honey, orange zest, dried thyme, cinnamon, and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer while stirring occasionally to combine all the flavors.
- Simmer the Chicken: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the cranberry-orange sauce over each piece. Cover the skillet and let the chicken simmer for 10-15 minutes until fully cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If the sauce is too thin after cooking the chicken, remove the chicken breasts and continue to simmer the sauce uncovered for a few more minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency.
- Serve: Plate the cooked chicken breasts and generously spoon the thickened cranberry orange sauce over the top. Garnish with fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs before serving for an added fragrant touch.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh cranberries when possible; frozen can be used but may alter texture slightly.
- Adjust honey quantity based on preferred sweetness level.
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter flavor.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to enjoy the flavorful sauce.
Keywords: Skillet Cranberry Chicken, cranberry sauce chicken, easy chicken dinner, cranberry orange chicken, one pan chicken, stovetop chicken recipe
Find it online: https://liamjayne.com/skillet-cranberry-chicken-recipe/
