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 truly magical about the bright, tangy flavors that blend in my favorite Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe. It’s the kind of dish that wakes up your taste buds and feels just as special on a weeknight as it does for guests. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again.

A black cast iron pan holds seven pieces of golden-brown cooked chicken, each topped with bright red cranberry sauce and small green herb sprinkles. The chicken looks crispy on top with a juicy texture under the sauce. In the pan, the sauce pools around the chicken with visible whole cranberries adding texture. Around the pan, there are small orange wedges, green parsley leaves, and a small bowl with chopped green herbs, all set on a white marbled surface. 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

I’ve made this Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe countless times, and it never fails to impress with its balance of sweet, tart, and savory. Plus, it’s straightforward enough that you can whip it up even on a busy day.

Perfect flavor harmony: The bright orange and tart cranberries give the chicken a fresh brightness that's hard to resist.
Simple yet elegant: It feels fancy enough for dinner guests without tons of complicated steps.
Juicy, tender chicken: Cooking thighs in the sauce keeps them moist and flavorful.
Versatile sides: Pair it with your favorite veggies or grains to customize every time.

The image shows a close-up of a single piece of cooked chicken on a spoon, coated in a thick, glossy, dark red sauce with chunks of what appear to be dried cranberries or similar berries. The chicken is golden-brown and moist, with fresh green parsley leaves sprinkled on top for contrast. The spoon is lifting the chicken from a white bowl containing more pieces of chicken covered in the same dark red sauce with visible bits of the berries and sauce spread around the bowl’s interior. The background and surface are a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This dish balances fresh, sweet, and savory ingredients that enhance each other perfectly. When you shop, fresh cranberries are best in season, but frozen work just as well, and fresh orange zest makes a huge difference in aroma.

Flat lay of six raw boneless skinless chicken thighs seasoned with visible sprinkles of paprika and black pepper, a few whole kosher salt crystals scattered nearby, a small white ceramic bowl of extra virgin olive oil with a golden sheen, a handful of fresh bright red cranberries, a small white bowl filled with vibrant orange juice, a small white bowl holding rich amber maple syrup, a small white bowl with light brown sugar crystals, a few fresh orange slices arranged neatly, a small pile of finely grated orange zest, and a small mound of minced garlic cloves all 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

Chicken Thighs: I prefer thighs here because they stay moist and tender much better than breasts, especially with this cooking method.
Kosher Salt: Essential for seasoning the chicken evenly and bringing out the flavors.
Paprika: Adds a gentle smokiness and beautiful color.
Black Pepper: For a touch of warmth and depth.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Provides a flavorful base to sear the chicken without burning.
Cranberries: Fresh or frozen, their tartness is the star ingredient in the sauce.
Orange Juice: Offers natural sweetness and acidity to brighten the sauce.
Pure Maple Syrup: Balances tart cranberries with a rich sweetness; plus, it adds a lovely complexity.
Light Brown Sugar: Gives the sauce a caramel-like depth and helps with thickening.
Orange Zest: Bursts of citrus oils here take the flavor up a notch.
Garlic: A little garlicky warmth amps up the savory notes.
Orange Slices: Optional garnish that adds a pretty, fresh touch.

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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

What I love most about this cranberry orange chicken recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your liking. Personally, I sometimes swap chicken thighs for breasts when I want a leaner dish, or add a pinch of cinnamon for an extra layer of warmth.

Variation: I once added a splash of bourbon to the sauce—wow, the depth of flavor it gave was incredible and perfect for entertaining.
Make it gluten-free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free; just double-check your maple syrup and sugars for additives if that’s a concern.
More zest: For bright mornings, I sometimes double the orange zest for that extra citrus pop.

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

Step 1: Season and Sear for Juicy Chicken

First, I pat the chicken thighs dry—this really helps them brown beautifully instead of steaming. Then I mix kosher salt, paprika, and black pepper and sprinkle both sides evenly. The paprika adds a subtle smoky hint that's so nice. I heat olive oil in my skillet over medium heat until shimmering, then add the chicken. Cooking for about 5 minutes per side gives a nice crust—just keep an eye to avoid burning and flip carefully using tongs.

Step 2: Build the Bright Cranberry Orange Sauce

Once the chicken is out, I lower the heat to medium-low and toss in the cranberries, orange juice, maple syrup, brown sugar, orange zest, garlic, and a pinch of salt. I love using the same skillet because those browned bits add so much flavor. Stirring occasionally as the sauce simmers, I squish some cranberries with my spoon—this lets their juices mingle into the sauce. After roughly 10 minutes, it thickens up and smells amazing.

Step 3: Combine and Warm Through

Next, I nestle the chicken back into the skillet, spooning sauce over each piece. A quick minute or so lets the chicken soak up all that lovely flavor and warms it through perfectly. I usually garnish with fresh orange slices for an inviting, fragrant finish.

Top Tip

Over the years of making this Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe, I’ve learned a few tricks that really help everything come together seamlessly and taste stunning.

Pat Dry First: Never skip drying the chicken; it’s key to a golden crust instead of soggy skin.
Don’t Rush the Sauce: Give the cranberries time to burst and reduce—it’s what makes that luscious texture.
Use a Good Nonstick Skillet: It makes flipping easier and prevents burning the sauce.
Keep Chicken Warm While Sauce Cooks: Tent the cooked chicken with foil so it stays juicy and doesn’t overcook.

How to Serve Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe

cranberry orange chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love finishing this dish with fresh orange slices—not just for looks but for a juicy citrus burst with every bite. Sometimes I sprinkle a few chopped fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for a fresh green contrast.

Side Dishes

Simple roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts or green beans pair beautifully, and I often serve with fluffy couscous or quinoa to soak up all that cranberry orange sauce. Mashed sweet potatoes also make a cozy, comforting side.

Creative Ways to Present

For family dinners or entertaining, I’ve plated this on a large wooden board with orange wedges and a scattering of fresh cranberries, making it easy for everyone to dig in and visually festive for fall or holiday gatherings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I pop any leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The sauce gets even more flavorful after sitting a bit, making for a delicious next-day meal.

Freezing

This recipe freezes nicely too—I portion the chicken and sauce separately if I can, so they thaw evenly without becoming overly soft on reheating.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water or orange juice to loosen the sauce—microwaving works fine too but can dry out the chicken slightly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs in this Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe?

Yes! You can substitute chicken breasts if you prefer leaner meat, but be careful not to overcook them since they can dry out faster. Lower the cooking time slightly and watch for internal temperature to reach 165°F.

What kind of cranberries work best for this recipe?

Fresh cranberries are ideal because they have great texture and flavor, but frozen cranberries work perfectly well and are often more convenient. Just thaw them slightly before cooking.

Can I prepare the sauce ahead of time?

You can make the cranberry orange sauce a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat gently before adding the chicken back in to keep that fresh, vibrant flavor.

What sides pair best with Cranberry Orange Chicken?

Roasted or steamed green vegetables, quinoa, couscous, or mashed sweet potatoes are all wonderful sides that complement the tangy sweetness of the cranberry orange sauce.

Final Thoughts

This Cranberry Orange Chicken Recipe is really close to my heart because it’s one of those dishes that feels like a treat but is totally easy enough for any night. The bright sauce brings chicken to a whole new level, and I know you’ll enjoy making it as much as eating it. So next time you want something a little different but fuss-free, give this recipe a try—and don’t forget to garnish with those bright orange slices for a perfect pop of color!