Description
A vibrant and tangy Cranberry Orange Chicken recipe featuring juicy chicken breasts simmered in a flavorful homemade cranberry-orange sauce, perfect for a quick and delicious dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Sauce
- 1 cup cranberry sauce
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1 tbsp honey
Garnish
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat to prepare for cooking the chicken evenly without sticking.
- Season and cook chicken: Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper. Place them in the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until browned and fully cooked through.
- Prepare the sauce: While the chicken cooks, combine the cranberry sauce, orange juice, orange zest, and honey in a small bowl. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Simmer the sauce with chicken: Once the chicken is cooked, pour the cranberry-orange sauce over it in the skillet. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and coat the chicken.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle fresh parsley over the chicken before serving to add a touch of color and freshness.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for safety.
- You can substitute fresh cranberries cooked down with sugar if cranberry sauce is unavailable.
- Orange zest adds bright citrus flavor; avoid zesting the white pith as it can be bitter.
- Honey balances the tartness of cranberries but can be adjusted or replaced with maple syrup for variation.
- Serve with rice, quinoa, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
