Get ready to fall in love with the most flavorful chicken dinner of the season! This Easy Cranberry Orange Chicken combines tender, juicy chicken with a stunning sweet and tangy sauce made from fresh cranberries and bright orange juice. Each bite delivers the perfect balance of flavors—the natural tartness of cranberries, the citrusy sweetness of orange, and a touch of honey that brings it all together beautifully. What makes this recipe truly special is how effortlessly elegant it is. The vibrant red sauce studded with burst cranberries looks absolutely gorgeous on the plate, making it perfect for both weeknight dinners and holiday entertaining. The chicken stays incredibly moist and flavorful, while the sauce reduces into a glossy glaze that’s simply irresistible. Whether you’re cooking for your family or impressing dinner guests, this cranberry orange chicken delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort. Plus, it’s naturally gluten-free and dairy-free!
Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe
- Seasonal flavors – fresh cranberries and orange create the perfect fall and winter combination
- Quick and easy – ready in just 35 minutes with simple ingredients
- Restaurant-quality – impressive presentation and complex flavors from basic ingredients
- One-pan meal – everything cooks in one skillet for easy cleanup
- Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free – fits many dietary needs without modifications
If you love easy chicken dinners, you’ll also want to try our Boursin Garlic Herb Chicken and Longhorn Steakhouse Parmesan Chicken.
Easy Cranberry Orange Chicken
Equipment
- Large skillet with lid
- Meat thermometer
- Tongs
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and cutting board
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs breasts are leaner; thighs are juicier
- 1 cup fresh cranberries frozen works too if needed
- 1 large orange zested and juiced (about 1/2 cup juice)
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup balances tartness of cranberries
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for browning chicken
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or rosemary or 1/2 teaspoon dried
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or water creates silky sauce
Optional Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar for extra depth of flavor
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard for a slight tang
Instructions
- Pat chicken breasts or thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and fresh thyme or rosemary. For extra flavor, marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature (optional).
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Add chicken to hot skillet and cook for 4-6 minutes per side until golden brown. The chicken doesn’t need to be fully cooked yet. Transfer browned chicken to a plate and set aside.
- In the same skillet (don’t clean it), add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add fresh cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, and honey to the skillet. Stir to combine.
- Bring sauce to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and release their juice. The sauce should reduce and thicken slightly.
- Return browned chicken to the skillet, spooning some sauce over the tops.
- Pour chicken broth into the skillet and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan for extra flavor.
- Cover skillet and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Spoon the cranberry-orange sauce over chicken. Garnish with fresh herbs or extra orange zest if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
What You Need for Cranberry Orange Chicken
Essential Ingredients for Cranberry Orange Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs – breasts are leaner; thighs are juicier and more flavorful
- 1 cup fresh cranberries – fresh is best for texture, but frozen works in a pinch
- 1 large orange, zested and juiced – provides natural sweetness and bright citrus flavor (about 1/2 cup juice)
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup – balances the tartness of cranberries
- 1 tablespoon olive oil – for browning the chicken
- 2 cloves garlic, minced – adds savory depth to the sauce
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or rosemary – complements the fruity flavors (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
- Salt and pepper to taste – for seasoning
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or water – creates a rich, silky sauce
Optional Flavor Enhancers
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar – adds depth and complexity
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard – provides a slight tang
How to Make Cranberry Orange Chicken (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Preparing the Chicken
- Season chicken (2 minutes): Pat chicken breasts or thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and fresh thyme or rosemary.
- Optional marinating (30 minutes): For even more flavor, let seasoned chicken marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature.
Step 2: Browning the Chicken
- Heat the skillet (2 minutes): Add olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Let oil get hot until it shimmers.
- Brown chicken (8-12 minutes): Add chicken to hot skillet and cook for 4-6 minutes per side until golden brown. (Don’t worry if chicken isn’t cooked through yet—it will finish in the sauce.) Transfer browned chicken to a plate and set aside.
Step 3: Making the Cranberry Orange Sauce
- Sauté garlic (30 seconds): In the same skillet (don’t clean it!), add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add cranberries and orange (1 minute): Add fresh cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, and honey to the skillet. Stir to combine.
- Simmer sauce (5-7 minutes): Bring sauce to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and release their juice. The sauce should reduce and thicken slightly.
Step 4: Finishing the Dish
- Return chicken (2 minutes): Place browned chicken back into the skillet, spooning some sauce over the tops.
- Add broth (1 minute): Pour chicken broth into the skillet and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom—these add incredible flavor!
- Simmer covered (10-12 minutes): Cover skillet and reduce heat to low. Simmer until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Serve (2 minutes): Spoon the gorgeous cranberry-orange sauce over chicken. Garnish with fresh herbs or extra orange zest.
Expert Tips for the Best Cranberry Orange Chicken
- Don’t skip browning – the caramelization adds deep flavor and beautiful color to the chicken
- Use the browned bits – those stuck-on bits in the pan (fond) are pure flavor gold
- Check temperature – use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F for food safety
- Fresh cranberries burst best – they release their tart juice and create the perfect sauce consistency
- Let sauce reduce – don’t rush the simmering—this concentrates the flavors beautifully
How to Store and Serve Cranberry Orange Chicken
Storage: Let chicken cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The sauce actually develops more flavor as it sits!
Freezing: Store cooked chicken with sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of chicken broth to prevent sauce from getting too thick. Microwave works too—cover and heat in 30-second intervals.
Serving suggestions: Serve over wild rice, rice pilaf, or mashed potatoes. Pair with roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts, carrots, or green beans. A fresh mixed greens salad with citrus vinaigrette balances the richness perfectly!
Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe Variations You’ll Love
- Spiced Version – add 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon to the sauce for warm, fall spices
- Grapefruit Orange Chicken – substitute half the orange juice with fresh grapefruit juice for unique citrus flavor
- Turkey or Pork – use turkey breasts or boneless pork chops instead of chicken
- Low-Sugar Option – reduce or omit honey, or use a sugar substitute like stevia
For more seasonal chicken recipes, check out our Creamy Ranch Chicken.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cranberry Orange Chicken
Can I make Cranberry Orange Chicken ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the cranberry orange sauce up to 2 days ahead and store it separately in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, simply reheat the sauce, cook the chicken, and combine them.
What’s the best cut of chicken to use?
Both chicken breasts and thighs work beautifully. Breasts are leaner and cook faster, while thighs are juicier, more flavorful, and harder to overcook. Choose based on your preference!
Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh?
While fresh cranberries give the best texture and burst beautifully in the sauce, you can use dried cranberries if needed. Soak them in warm water for 10 minutes before using to rehydrate them.
How do I know when the chicken is done?
Use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken. It should read 165°F when fully cooked. The juices should run clear, not pink.
Final Thoughts on This Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe
This Easy Cranberry Orange Chicken is the perfect recipe to have in your dinner rotation, especially during fall and winter months. The combination of tart cranberries and sweet orange creates a sauce that’s both vibrant and delicious, while the simple one-pan cooking method makes cleanup a breeze. Whether you’re serving it for a cozy family dinner or presenting it at your holiday table, this dish delivers impressive results with minimal effort. The beautiful red sauce studded with burst cranberries looks as stunning as it tastes, and your guests will think you spent hours in the kitchen. Best of all, it’s naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, making it perfect for various dietary needs. Love this recipe? Save it to your Pinterest boards and follow us on Pinterest for more seasonal chicken recipes!