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Easy Cranberry Orange Chicken Skillet

Close-up of perfectly cooked cranberry chicken pieces glazed with a rich, dark red cranberry sauce.
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Make this sweet and tangy Cranberry Orange Chicken in a skillet for a quick weeknight meal or a festive dinner. This recipe uses simple ingredients to create a flavorful glaze.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
  • 1/2 cup orange juice, fresh squeezed
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium. In the same skillet, whisk together the cranberry sauce, orange juice, orange zest, balsamic vinegar, and dried thyme.
  4. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly into a glaze.
  5. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Spoon the cranberry orange glaze over the chicken pieces, turning to coat them completely.
  6. Cook for 1 minute more to heat the chicken through. Serve immediately over rice or with mashed potatoes.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use fresh cranberries simmered down instead of store-bought sauce.
  • If you prefer a slow cooker method, combine all sauce ingredients and chicken in the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours.
  • This dish pairs well with roasted Brussels sprouts or green beans for a complete meal.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://blissbatter.com/cranberry-chicken-skillet-recipe/