Description
This Cranberry Chicken recipe brings together sweet, tart cranberries and savory chicken for a simple, flavorful dish. It is perfect for a weeknight meal that tastes special or as a bright addition to a holiday table. We encourage you to play with the flavors and enjoy the process.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Season the chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken on both sides until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
- In the same skillet, combine the chicken broth, orange juice, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, and thyme. Bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Stir in the cranberries. Let the sauce cook for 3 minutes until the cranberries just begin to burst.
- Return the chicken to the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
- Remove the lid for the last 5 minutes if you prefer a thicker sauce. Serve the chicken topped with the cranberry sauce.
Notes
- For a slow cooker version, place all ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.
- If you enjoy a tangier flavor, skip the brown sugar and add a splash of fresh lemon juice at the end.
- This pairs wonderfully with rice, quinoa, or roasted Brussels sprouts.
- If you use frozen cranberries, do not thaw them before adding them to the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 130mg