This Cranberry Orange Chicken is bursting with sweet-tangy flavor, combining juicy chicken with a glossy orange and cranberry glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. It’s a tried-and-tested recipe perfect for cozy dinners, winter gatherings, or when you want something festive without much effort. The balance of citrus, sweetness, and savory notes makes every bite unforgettable.
📋 Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- ¾ cup orange juice (fresh preferred)
- Zest of 1 orange
- 3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Optional: rosemary sprigs or red pepper flakes
🍗 Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat and sear chicken 2–3 minutes per side until lightly golden.
In a bowl, whisk orange juice, honey, soy sauce, garlic, paprika, and orange zest. Pour over the chicken. Add cranberries and rosemary if using.
Transfer skillet to the oven and bake 20–25 minutes (thighs may need 5 extra minutes) until the sauce thickens and caramelizes. Spoon glaze over the chicken before serving.
💡 Tips
Use fresh orange zest for the brightest flavor. Add sliced oranges to the pan for a beautiful presentation. If sauce reduces too much, add a splash of orange juice at the end. Serve with rice, quinoa, or roasted vegetables.
🍴 Details
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Serves: 4
Calories: ~350 per serving
Cranberry Orange Chicken
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Description
This dish features juicy chicken covered in a sweet-tangy orange and cranberry glaze, perfect for festive dinners and gatherings.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- ¾ cup orange juice (fresh preferred)
- Zest of 1 orange
- 3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Optional: rosemary sprigs or red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Season chicken with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat and sear chicken for 2–3 minutes per side until lightly golden.
- In a bowl, whisk together orange juice, honey, soy sauce, garlic, paprika, and orange zest.
- Pour the mixture over the chicken and add cranberries and rosemary if using.
- Transfer skillet to the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes until the sauce thickens and caramelizes.
- Spoon glaze over the chicken before serving.
Notes
Use fresh orange zest for the brightest flavor. Add sliced oranges for a beautiful presentation. If the sauce reduces too much, add a splash of orange juice at the end. Serve with rice, quinoa, or roasted vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
