Name: Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs; 1 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt; ½ teaspoon paprika; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 1 ½ cups (150 g) cranberries, fresh or frozen; ⅔ cup (166 g) orange juice; ¼ cup (79 g) pure maple syrup; ¼ cup (50 g) light brown sugar; 1 ½ teaspoons orange zest; 1 teaspoon garlic, minced; ¼ teaspoon kosher salt; Orange slices, for garnish (optional)

There’s something so delightfully bright and cozy about this Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe. The tangy cranberries and zesty orange blend beautifully with tender chicken thighs, creating a dish that’s perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.

A black cast iron pan holds seven golden brown chicken pieces on the top layer, each with a crispy skin texture. They are topped and surrounded by a deep red cranberry sauce with whole berries, creating a shiny, slightly chunky layer over and around the chicken. Small green parsley flakes are sprinkled on the chicken for a touch of color. The pan is on a white marbled surface, and around it are scattered garnishes, orange wedges, and green herbs. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, I fell for this Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe because of how effortlessly it combines sweet, tart, and savory flavors in one pan. It’s one of those recipes that look impressive but come together quickly, making dinner feel like a treat.

Balanced Flavor Profile: The bright cranberries and fresh orange zest brighten the rich chicken, offering a perfect sweet-tart contrast you don’t see every day.
Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of these in your kitchen, so it’s a breeze to whip up without a special trip to the store.
One-Pan Wonder: Less mess to clean up means you get to enjoy your meal instead of scrubbing dishes for ages.
Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing: Whether it's family dinner or guests, this dish feels a little fancy but comes together like your go-to comfort food.

The image shows a close-up of a cooked chicken piece shaped like a small fillet covered with a thick orange-red sauce that has a slightly shiny and textured surface. On top of the sauce, there are small dark red chunks, likely cranberries, scattered unevenly. Small green parsley leaves are sprinkled for garnish, adding a fresh color contrast. The chicken piece is held by a silver spoon above a shallow white bowl that contains more chicken pieces in the same sauce with visible sauce splashes on the sides of the bowl. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

You’ll notice the ingredients in this Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe are straightforward but carefully chosen to create layers of flavor. The fresh cranberries bring tartness, the orange juice and zest add brightness, while the chicken thighs give juicy, satisfying richness.

Flat lay of six raw boneless skinless chicken thighs seasoned with kosher salt, paprika, and black pepper, a small white bowl of extra virgin olive oil, a small white bowl filled with fresh cranberries, a small white bowl of bright orange juice, a small white bowl of golden pure maple syrup, a small white bowl of light brown sugar, a few strands of fresh orange zest, a small white bowl containing minced garlic, a few thin orange slices for garnish, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white ceramic surface, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Boneless skinless chicken thighs: I prefer thighs here because they stay juicy and tender, even with longer cooking times.
Kosher salt: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the ingredients.
Paprika: Adds subtle smokiness and color to the chicken.
Black pepper: For just a touch of heat and depth.
Extra virgin olive oil: Gives a nice sear on the chicken without overpowering the flavors.
Cranberries (fresh or frozen): Their natural tartness is the star—it balances the sweetness in the sauce perfectly.
Orange juice: Fresh if you can—adds natural citrus brightness and sweetness.
Pure maple syrup: A warm, natural sweetener that complements the tart cranberries wonderfully.
Light brown sugar: Adds mellow caramel notes to deepen the sauce.
Orange zest: Intensifies the orange flavor for a fresh zing.
Garlic, minced: Gives a subtle savory punch.
Orange slices (optional): Gorgeous garnish that echoes the flavors within.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love to experiment with this Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe, and you can easily tailor it to your taste or dietary needs. Feel free to switch up the sweeteners or even swap chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer them leaner.

Variation: One time, I added a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce—it gave a lovely warm kick that balanced the sweetness beautifully.
Gluten-Free: Since this recipe uses no flour or breading, it’s naturally gluten-free—just double-check your maple syrup and other ingredients to be sure.
Seasonal Twist: Try adding chopped pecans or toasted walnuts on top for some crunch and nutty contrast.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken

Start by patting your chicken thighs dry—this is key for getting a nice sear. Mix the salt, paprika, and black pepper, then season both sides evenly. Heat your olive oil over medium heat in a large nonstick skillet, then add the chicken thighs skin-side down (if they had skin). Cook about 5 minutes per side until golden and the internal temperature reads 165°F. I like to peek once or twice but avoid flipping too soon, so they get that gorgeous crust. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.

Step 2: Simmer the Cranberry Orange Sauce

Reducing the heat to medium-low, add your cranberries, orange juice, maple syrup, brown sugar, orange zest, minced garlic, and salt directly into the skillet you cooked the chicken in. This is where that delicious fond—the browned bits on the pan—gets scraped up and incorporated into the sauce, making it extra flavorful. Stir and gently press the cranberries to help them burst, then cook for about 10 minutes until it thickens into a glossy, vibrant sauce.

Step 3: Bring It All Together

Nestle the chicken thighs back into the sauce, spooning it all over each piece. Let them warm through on low heat for about a minute or so. This step lets the chicken soak up some of that tangy goodness without overcooking it.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Top with fresh orange slices for a pop of color and a hint of extra zest. Serve it warm and enjoy the burst of flavors — this meal always sparks compliments!

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that really make this Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe stand out and help you avoid common pitfalls.

Dry Chicken Before Searing: Patting the chicken dry ensures a beautiful golden crust instead of steaming in the pan.
Don’t Rush the Sauce: Letting the cranberries cook down slowly gives you that perfect balance of tartness and sweetness without overwhelming the palate.
Use a Nonstick or Well-Seasoned Pan: This prevents the sauce from sticking and burning, making cleanup easier too.
Keep Chicken Warm Under Foil: Tent your cooked chicken with foil while preparing the sauce to keep it juicy and warm without drying out.

How to Serve Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe

cranberry orange chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually garnish with a few thin orange slices because they visually tie the dish together while adding a refreshing citrus aroma. Fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs also work well if you want a herbal note that contrasts with the fruitiness.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides are creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy rice to soak up the luscious sauce, along with simple steamed green beans or roasted Brussels sprouts for a touch of crunch and color.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners, I like serving this chicken over a bed of wild rice pilaf with dried cranberries and toasted pecans mixed in. It creates an eye-catching centerpiece that tastes as festive as it looks.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens a bit as it chills, so sometimes adding a splash of orange juice when reheating helps restore its bright, saucy texture.

Freezing

This recipe freezes well! Just freeze the chicken and sauce together in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently on the stove.

Reheating

I find reheating on low heat on the stove is best to avoid drying out the chicken. Cover the pan to warm through evenly and add a tiny splash of water or orange juice if the sauce looks too thick.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, you can use boneless skinless chicken breasts, but be careful not to overcook them as they can dry out more easily than thighs. Consider reducing cooking time slightly and monitoring internal temperature closely.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the cranberry orange sauce a day ahead and refrigerate it. When ready to serve, simply warm it up in the skillet before adding the cooked chicken back in to heat through.

What if I don't have fresh cranberries?

Frozen cranberries work perfectly in this recipe. There’s no need to thaw them before cooking; just add them directly to the skillet and cook as directed.

Is this recipe suitable for busy weeknights?

Definitely! The recipe requires minimal prep and cooks in about half an hour, making it a fantastic option for a quick yet special weeknight dinner.

Final Thoughts

This Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it manages to be both simplicity and special occasion-worthy all at once. I always feel like I’m serving something thoughtful and impressive without spending hours cooking. Give it a try—once you get that perfect burst of cranberry-orange flavor paired with tender chicken, I think you’ll understand why I keep coming back to this one.