Description

This Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken recipe delivers a delightful combination of savory and sweet flavors, featuring crispy bone-in chicken thighs simmered in a vibrant sauce made with fresh cranberries, orange juice, and warming spices. Perfect for an easy yet impressive meal, it brings festive flair to your table with minimal effort and is great for pairing with rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Salt and black pepper to taste

Sauce

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
1/2 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon orange zest
2 tablespoons honey
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Garnish (Optional)

Fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs

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Instructions

Season the chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry and season both sides generously with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor and help achieve crispy skin.
Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs skin side down and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until the skin is golden and crisp. Flip and sear the other side for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Prepare the sauce base: Reduce the heat to medium and add minced garlic to the same skillet. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
Add sauce ingredients: Stir in cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, honey, dried thyme, and ground cinnamon. Let the mixture simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until it thickens slightly and cranberries begin to soften.
Simmer chicken in sauce: Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, skin side up. Spoon some sauce over the chicken. Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer gently for 20 to 25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Garnish and serve: If desired, garnish with fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs before serving. Serve the chicken warm, spooning extra sauce over it for maximum flavor.

Notes

Pairs wonderfully with rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
You can substitute boneless chicken thighs or breasts; just adjust the cooking time to avoid overcooking.
For a thicker sauce, simmer uncovered for the last 5 minutes to reduce and concentrate flavors.