Delicious Cranberry Orange Chicken: Your New Favorite Dinner!
This recipe features tender chicken thighs seared to perfection and then simmered in a vibrant, sweet-tart cranberry orange sauce. It's an easy and flavorful dinner option that's sure to become a family favorite.
Equipment
- Paper towels
- Small Bowl
- large nonstick skillet
- Aluminum foil
- Spoon or Spatula
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ cups cranberries fresh or frozen
- ⅔ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons orange zest
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- orange slices for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Cooking Steps
- Pat the chicken thighs dry and combine salt, paprika, and pepper in a small bowl to create a seasoning mixture. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken thighs.
- Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, then place chicken thighs in a single layer. Cook for 5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, then remove chicken to a plate and tent with aluminum foil.
- Reduce the heat of the skillet to medium-low.
- Add cranberries, orange juice, maple syrup, brown sugar, orange zest, minced garlic, and the remaining salt to the same skillet.
- Cook the sauce for about 10 minutes until it thickens, scraping up any browned bits and gently squishing the cranberries to release their juices.
- Nestle the cooked chicken back into the skillet, spooning the sauce over each piece. Cook for about a minute until the chicken is hot again.
- Garnish the dish with orange slices, if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
This sweet and savory dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a festive occasion. The sauce can also be made ahead of time.