Bright, zesty, and irresistibly savory, this Cranberry Orange Chicken brings bold seasonal flavors straight to your dinner table. Juicy chicken breasts are bathed in a tangy-sweet sauce made with fresh cranberries, orange zest, and just a touch of honey for balance. Each bite is a mouthwatering blend of citrus brightness and rich, golden caramelization, making it a perfect recipe for cozy winter dinners or holiday entertaining.

Whether you’re planning a festive meal or just want something different from your usual rotation, this dish checks all the boxes. It’s easy enough for a weeknight yet fancy enough to serve guests. The presentation is stunning too, with ruby-red cranberries and glistening orange slices adding vibrant color to your plate.

Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

Before diving into the cooking, gather your kitchen essentials:

Large Oven-Safe Skillet or Braiser — A heavy skillet ensures even cooking and allows you to move seamlessly from stovetop to oven for perfect caramelization.
Microplane or Zester — To zest the orange without cutting into the bitter pith.
Citrus Juicer — Helps you extract maximum juice with minimal effort.

Meat Thermometer — For ensuring your chicken is perfectly cooked and juicy.
Tongs & Silicone Spatula — Tongs help with flipping chicken cleanly, while a silicone spatula is ideal for deglazing and mixing the sauce.

These tools not only streamline your workflow but also elevate the quality of your final dish. A good skillet locks in the flavors, and precise tools like a zester or thermometer give you full control over taste and texture.

Ingredients for the Cranberry Orange Chicken

Chicken Breasts: The protein star of the recipe, chicken breasts provide a lean, tender base that soaks up the orange-cranberry sauce beautifully.
Fresh Cranberries: They bring a tart burst that balances the sweetness and brightens the entire dish.
Orange Juice + Zest: Fresh orange juice infuses the chicken with citrus flavor while the zest adds aromatic oils that intensify the experience.

Honey: Adds natural sweetness that rounds out the tart cranberries and enhances caramelization.
Garlic & Onion: Aromatics that lay down a flavorful base, deepening the savory profile of the sauce.
Olive Oil & Butter: A mix of fats to sear the chicken and give the sauce a silky finish.

Fresh Herbs (like thyme or rosemary): Earthy herbs add a fragrant note that ties all the ingredients together.
Salt & Pepper: To season and elevate all other flavors.

How To Make the Cranberry Orange Chicken

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Heat olive oil and butter in your oven-safe skillet over medium-high. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then sear each side for about 3–4 minutes until golden. Remove and set aside.

Step 2: Build the Flavor Base

In the same skillet, sauté chopped onions and garlic until fragrant and translucent. Scrape up any browned bits from the chicken to deepen the flavor.

Step 3: Create the Sauce

Add fresh cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, and honey. Stir until cranberries begin to burst and the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 4: Bake to Finish

Return the chicken to the pan, nestling it into the sauce. Top with orange slices and fresh herbs. Transfer the skillet to a preheated oven (375°F) and bake for 20–25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

Step 5: Serve and Spoon Sauce

Once out of the oven, let rest a few minutes. Spoon extra sauce over each piece before serving.

How to Serve and Store This Dish

Serve this cranberry orange chicken over fluffy rice, mashed potatoes, or even a creamy polenta to soak up the luscious sauce. Add a side of roasted green beans or a crisp fall salad for a well-rounded meal.

To store, let the chicken cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. It also freezes well for up to 2 months. Reheat gently in the oven or on the stovetop to preserve its texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken thighs instead?

Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work great. Just adjust cooking time slightly as thighs often need a few extra minutes.

What if I only have dried cranberries?

Dried cranberries are sweeter and less tart. If using them, reduce the honey and soak them in hot water before cooking to soften.

Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Absolutely. It stores and reheats beautifully, making it ideal for make-ahead lunches or dinners.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes, simply use olive oil instead of butter to keep it dairy-free.

Do I have to use fresh orange juice?

Fresh is best for flavor, but store-bought 100% orange juice works in a pinch. Just avoid concentrates with added sugar.

How do I know the chicken is done?

Use a meat thermometer. Chicken is fully cooked at 165°F in the thickest part.

Want More Chicken Ideas with a Twist?

If you enjoyed this Cranberry Orange Chicken, here are a few more crave-worthy options from Life With Olivia:

Sweet Garlic Chicken in the Crockpot for slow-cooked flavor with zero fuss.
One Pan Garlic Herb Chicken with Potatoes & Green Beans for a hearty weeknight dinner.

Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet if you’re craving rich, restaurant-style comfort food.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole for a creamy, cheesy classic.
Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Rotini for the pasta lover in your life.

Save This Recipe for Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time: Life With Olivia on Pinterest

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you try a different herb? Add a touch of chili for heat? I love hearing your twists.

Have questions or need help troubleshooting? Don’t hesitate to reach out. Let’s make cooking more joyful together!

Cranberry Orange Chicken

Author: Olivia McKenney
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 2 servings

Print Recipe

Description

This Cranberry Orange Chicken is a flavorful and festive dish combining juicy seared chicken breasts with a tangy-sweet sauce made from fresh cranberries, honey, and vibrant orange juice and zest. It’s an easy yet elegant meal perfect for holidays or cozy weeknights.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Heat olive oil and butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.

3. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.

4. Sear chicken in the skillet for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.

5. In the same skillet, sauté chopped onion and garlic until fragrant and translucent.

6. Add cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, and honey. Stir and simmer for 3–5 minutes until cranberries begin to burst.

7. Return chicken to the skillet, nestling into the sauce. Top with fresh herbs and optional orange slices.

8. Transfer skillet to oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F internally.

9. Let rest a few minutes, then spoon extra sauce over chicken before serving.

Notes

You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier result; adjust bake time as needed.

If cranberries are too tart, add an extra teaspoon of honey to balance.

To make it dairy-free, use only olive oil and skip the butter.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Oven-Baked, Skillet

Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
Calories: 370

Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 390mg
Fat: 16g

Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g

Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 35g

Cholesterol: 95mg

Keywords: cranberry orange chicken, holiday chicken, skillet chicken