Description
Looking for a quick dinner that’s elegant enough for guests and easy enough for a weeknight? Try Cranberry Orange Chicken! Tender chicken breasts are cooked in a sweet-tart sauce of orange juice, fresh cranberries, honey, and rosemary, creating a beautiful main dish bursting with flavor. This easy recipe is naturally gluten-free, makes a healthy dinner idea, and is perfect for holidays or any night you want to serve something special. Great for meal prep, too!
Ingredients
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup fresh cranberries
1 large orange, zested and juiced
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
3. In a large oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts until golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Stir in the orange juice, orange zest, honey, and chopped rosemary. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to combine the flavors.
6. Add cranberries to the skillet, then return the chicken breasts. Spoon some sauce over the chicken.
7. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cranberries have burst.
8. Let rest for a few minutes. Spoon sauce over chicken before serving. Garnish with extra rosemary or orange zest if desired.
Notes
Use frozen cranberries if fresh aren’t available—no need to thaw.
Chicken thighs can be substituted for chicken breasts, just adjust cooking time.
Leftovers keep well for up to 3 days in the fridge and are even tastier the next day.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 83mg
Keywords: easy recipe, chicken dinner, healthy dinner, holiday chicken, cranberry chicken, quick dinner