Description
This Cranberry Orange Chicken recipe is a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors that will impress your taste buds. Tender chicken breasts are cooked in a luscious sauce made with cranberries, orange juice, honey, and aromatic spices. Perfect for a festive dinner or a special family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce:
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/2 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (optional, for thickening)
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 3–4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: In the same skillet, add cranberries, orange juice, honey, balsamic vinegar, orange zest, cinnamon, ginger, and garlic powder. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5–6 minutes until cranberries burst.
- Cook the chicken: Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon sauce over the top, cover, and simmer for 15–20 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Thicken the sauce: If desired, stir in the cornstarch slurry during the last 5 minutes to thicken the sauce. Spoon sauce over chicken before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts if preferred.
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in orange juice and garlic for 1 hour before cooking.
- Serve with rice, couscous, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 315
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
