What is orange chicken made of?

Traditional orange chicken uses fried chicken pieces coated in a sweet citrus sauce. This version skips the deep-fry for seared chicken and a homemade cranberry-orange glaze.

Are orange and cranberry juice good together?

Yes, they balance each other beautifully. Orange adds sunshine-like sweetness while cranberries bring a tart contrast.

Can chicken eat cranberries?

If you mean backyard chickens, yes, in small amounts. But in this recipe, it’s the human kind of chicken that soaks up all that cranberry-orange flavor.

How do you make cranberry sauce with oranges?

Simmer cranberries with orange juice, zest, and sugar until the berries burst and the sauce thickens. It’s the same method used here — only it doubles as a savory glaze.

Cranberry Orange Chicken | Quick & Amazing Holiday Recipe

Name: Cranberry Orange Chicken | Quick & Amazing Holiday Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Chicken; 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs; 1¼ tsp kosher salt (for seasoning chicken); ½ tsp paprika; ¼ tsp black pepper; 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; Cranberry Orange Sauce; 1½ cups cranberries (150 g), fresh or frozen; ⅔ cup orange juice (166 g); ¼ cup pure maple syrup (79 g); ¼ cup light brown sugar (50 g), packed; 1½ tsp orange zest (about 1 medium orange); 1 tsp garlic, minced; ¼ tsp kosher salt; Orange slices for garnish (optional)

Description

Cranberry Orange Chicken is a cozy, tangy-sweet skillet dinner made in just 35 minutes. Juicy chicken thighs simmer in a glossy cranberry-orange sauce that’s perfect for Christmas or any cold night.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

1¼ tsp kosher salt (for seasoning chicken)

½ tsp paprika

¼ tsp black pepper

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Cranberry Orange Sauce

1½ cups cranberries (150 g), fresh or frozen

⅔ cup orange juice (166 g)

¼ cup pure maple syrup (79 g)

¼ cup light brown sugar (50 g), packed

1½ tsp orange zest (about 1 medium orange)

1 tsp garlic, minced

¼ tsp kosher salt

Orange slices for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Pat chicken thighs dry. Mix salt, paprika, and pepper, then season both sides.

2. Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium. Sear chicken for 5 minutes per side until golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove and tent with foil.

3. Reduce heat to medium-low. In the same skillet, add cranberries, orange juice, maple syrup, brown sugar, orange zest, garlic, and salt.

4. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring and pressing cranberries gently until the sauce thickens.

5. Return chicken to the skillet, spoon sauce over top, and warm for 1 minute.

6. Rest a few minutes before serving. Garnish with orange slices and serve warm.

Notes

Use chicken breasts if preferred, but reduce cooking time for tenderness.

Fresh orange juice and zest give the best flavor. Bottled juice works if it’s 100% juice.

Swap maple syrup with honey or add more brown sugar for extra sweetness.

Frozen cranberries can be used without thawing.

Serve with mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, carrots, or dinner rolls.

Storage: Refrigerate airtight 3–4 days. Reheat with a splash of orange juice.

Freezing: Freeze up to 3 months, thaw overnight, and reheat gently.

Optional Add-ins: Minced jalapeño for spice, roasted cauliflower for depth, or a small knob of butter for richness.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Christmas Dinner Recipes
Method: Stovetop skillet
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce (approx. 160 g)
Calories: 275
Sugar: 18 g
Sodium: 540 mg
Fat: 11 g
Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 7.5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 19 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 28 g
Cholesterol: 120 mg