Description
Succulent Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken brings Mediterranean warmth to your dining table with zesty citrus and tangy berries. Bold flavors and simple ingredients create a memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
Sauce and Flavor Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup chicken broth (optional, for thinner sauce)
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by gently patting each thigh with paper towels to remove excess moisture, then generously season both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Warm a large skillet over medium-high heat, adding a blend of olive oil and butter. Carefully place chicken thighs skin-side down, allowing them to develop a rich golden-brown crust for 5-6 minutes. Flip and cook the opposite side for an additional 5 minutes until evenly seared. Transfer chicken to a temporary plate.
- Using the same skillet, infuse the pan with minced garlic, stirring briefly until aromatic. Introduce vibrant cranberries, fresh orange juice, zesty orange zest, sweet honey, fragrant thyme, and earthy rosemary. Allow the mixture to simmer, encouraging cranberries to gently burst and sauce to slightly condense.
- Carefully nestle the seared chicken thighs back into the skillet, positioning them skin-side up. Generously ladle the cranberry mixture over the meat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and let chicken slow-cook for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Finish the dish by scattering fresh chopped parsley and additional orange zest for brightness. Serve immediately, drizzling the luscious cranberry orange sauce over the perfectly cooked chicken.
Notes
- Pat chicken thoroughly to ensure crispy skin and better seasoning absorption.
- Use high-quality fresh cranberries for a vibrant, tangy sauce with intense flavor.
- Adjust honey quantities based on desired sweetness level, keeping sauce balanced.
- Allow chicken to rest after cooking to maintain juiciness and prevent dryness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg