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Cranberry Orange Chicken is a perfect dinner for the Holiday season, but it’s also great for any time of the year. This chicken thigh recipe combines the sweetness of cranberries with the tangy flavor of orange zest to create a mouthwatering chicken dish.
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This was heavenly! There was utter quiet around the table while we all focused on enjoying this meal.
Orange Cranberry Chicken Recipe
Cranberry orange chicken has an unbelievably juicy and tangy flavor. This savory dish is sure to be an instant hit with everyone in your home and stay in the rotation for your holiday meals. The sweet cranberries are balanced perfectly by the tartness of the oranges, while the tender chicken remains moist. Not only does this meal come together effortlessly but also you can enjoy it with any side dish of your choosing — making it ideal for everyone from experienced cooks to busy parents.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken thighs: Skin-on chicken thighs are cooked in butter and seasoned with garlic salt and pepper.
- Cranberry sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, and minced garlic create the sauce for the chicken thighs.
- Orange, fresh cranberries, and parsley are used for garnish.
How to Make Cranberry Orange Chicken
- Sear the Chicken: Add butter to the oven-proof skillet. Season the chicken and sear the chicken skin side down until the skin is crispy and brown. Remove the chicken from the pan.
- Create the Sauce: Add the cranberry sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, and garlic to the drippings in the pan. Whisk together. Add the chicken back to the pan, skin side up. Place the oranges on top.
- Bake the Chicken: Bake the chicken for 40 minutes, until the chicken is 165 degrees. Garnish with parsley and fresh cranberries. Serve over mashed potatoes (if desired).
FAQS
- Can I Use Chicken Breasts Instead of Thighs? Yes, you can use boneless skinless chicken breasts instead of thighs for this dish. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly as chicken breasts may cook faster than thighs.
- What Can I Serve with Cranberry Orange Chicken? Cranberry orange chicken goes well with a variety of side dishes such as rice, quinoa, roasted vegetables, Brussels sprouts or a simple green salad. You can also pair it with your favorite starch like mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes.
- Can I Use Frozen Cranberries? Yes, you can use frozen cranberries for this recipe. Just make sure to thaw them beforehand and adjust the cooking time if necessary.
- How Long Will Leftovers Last? Leftovers of cranberry orange chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, simply place it in the oven or microwave until warmed through. You can also freeze the leftover chicken for up to 3 months. Just make sure to thaw it before reheating.
- What Other Seasonings Can I Add? Aside from parsley, you can also add other herbs and spices to the chicken before baking. Some popular options include rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, or chili flakes for a kick of heat. You can also experiment with different citrus fruits like lemon or lime for a twist on the classic recipe.
More Easy Chicken Recipes
- Chicken Alfredo Lasagna Roll Ups
- Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
- Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Cranberry Orange Chicken
Cranberry Orange Chicken is a perfect dinner for the Holiday season, but it's also great for any time of the year. This chicken thigh recipe combines the sweetness of cranberries with the tangy flavor of orange zest to create a mouthwatering chicken dish.
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 6 chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 14 ounce cranberry sauce
- ½ cup orange juice
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- Orange sliced
- Fresh cranberries for garnish
- parsley for garnish
Instructions
- In a large oven proof skillet over medium high heat add your butter.
- Sprinkle the garlic salt and pepper over the chicken thighs.
- Sear the chicken thighs in the skillet skin side down for 5 minutes or until the skin is brown and crispy.
- Remove the chicken from the pan. We are not looking to cook the chicken through here just crisp the skin.
- To the drippings in the pan add your cranberry sauce, orange juice, brown sugar and garlic. Whisk to combine.
- Place the chicken thighs back in the pan skin side up.
- Add your orange slices.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes or until an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Garnish with parsley and fresh cranberries.
- Serve!
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Nutrition
Calories: 467kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 121mg | Sodium: 513mg | Potassium: 326mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 276IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg
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2 comments on “Cranberry Orange Chicken”
This was heavenly! There was utter quiet around the table while we all focused on enjoying this meal.
Thanks Teresa!