Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken

Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken brings together the warm, comforting flavors of the season in the easiest way possible. This simple one-pan recipe blends tender chicken, bright citrus, and burst-open cranberries into a cozy, savory-sweet dinner that feels festive without any extra effort. Because everything cooks in the same skillet, the flavors naturally deepen, creating a glossy orange-cranberry sauce that coats every bite beautifully.

Although cranberries are often associated with holiday tables, they’ve been enjoyed for centuries for their vibrant flavor and natural pectin, which helps create that irresistible silky glaze. Here, they pair perfectly with fresh orange zest, honey, and garlic, turning everyday chicken into something extraordinary.

This dish fits weeknights just as easily as celebrations. It cooks quickly, reheats well, and looks effortlessly elegant on the table. With its bright seasonal aroma and warm, balanced flavor, this recipe is sure to become a new favorite for cooking enthusiasts everywhere.

Recipe Yield: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup fresh cranberries
½ cup orange juice
3 tbsp honey
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp orange zest
1 tsp Dijon mustard
½ tsp dried thyme
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp water

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Season and sear:
Pat chicken thighs dry. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high. Add chicken and sear 3–4 minutes per side until lightly golden.

2. Build the sauce:
Reduce heat to medium. Add fresh cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, honey, soy sauce, garlic, Dijon, thyme, and chicken broth. Stir well to combine, scraping browned bits from the bottom.

3. Simmer gently:
Nestle chicken back into the skillet. Cover and simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and chicken is nearly cooked through.

4. Thicken the sauce:
In a small bowl whisk cornstarch with water. Pour slurry into the skillet and stir. Simmer uncovered 2–3 minutes until the sauce becomes glossy and slightly thickened.

5. Finish and serve:
Once chicken reaches 165°F internally and the sauce is rich and syrupy, remove from heat. Spoon sauce generously over the chicken and serve warm.

Helpful Tips to Perfect This Recipe

• Balance the Sweetness:
  Cranberries can be quite tart, so adjusting honey by ½–1 tbsp helps create a more rounded flavor. This small tweak can dramatically improve the final sauce.
• Don’t Skip the Sear:
  Searing the chicken adds depth and creates irresistible caramelized edges. Moreover, those browned bits enrich the sauce and help it thicken beautifully.
• Use Fresh Citrus:
  Fresh orange zest brightens the dish instantly. Because it adds fragrant oils, it lifts the sauce and gives each bite a fresh, seasonal finish that’s perfect for holidays.