Description
Tender chicken breasts cooked in a sweet and tangy cranberry-orange sauce that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday meals. The combination of citrus and cranberries creates a bright, flavorful dish everyone will love.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Sauce
- 1 cup cranberry sauce
- ½ cup orange juice
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp honey
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides evenly with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to enhance the flavor.
- Cook the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for 5–6 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: In the same skillet, combine cranberry sauce, orange juice, orange zest, Dijon mustard, and honey. Whisk together thoroughly to blend all the ingredients into a smooth sauce.
- Simmer the sauce: Let the sauce simmer gently over medium heat for 3–5 minutes until it thickens slightly and the flavors meld beautifully.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon the sauce over the top, and simmer for an additional 2–3 minutes to heat through and coat the chicken in the flavorful sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle fresh parsley over the chicken for a burst of color and fresh herb aroma before serving.
Notes
- Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables to complete the meal.
- Fresh cranberries can be used when in season to make a homemade cranberry sauce for a fresher taste.
- Adding a pinch of cinnamon to the sauce provides a warm, holiday-inspired flavor that complements the citrus and cranberries.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
