Description
A cozy and flavorful chicken dish combining the tartness of fresh cranberries with bright orange zest and juice, perfect for quick and festive November dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds / 900g)
- 1 cup fresh cranberries (100g)
- 1 large orange, zested and juiced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ½ cup chicken broth (120ml), low sodium
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs skin-side down and cook without moving for 6-7 minutes until skin is golden and crispy. Flip and cook for another 3 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Lower heat to medium, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add fresh cranberries, orange zest and juice, honey, and chicken broth. Stir and simmer for 3-4 minutes until cranberries start popping and sauce thickens slightly.
- Return chicken thighs to the skillet, skin side up, nestling them into the sauce. Sprinkle chopped fresh thyme on top. Transfer skillet to the oven and roast for 15-20 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove skillet from oven carefully. Spoon some of the tangy cranberry orange sauce over the chicken and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Pat chicken dry before searing for crispy skin. Use fresh cranberries for best flavor. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to 165°F. If sauce is too thin, reduce on stovetop for a glossy glaze. Leftover sauce is great as a salad dressing when thinned with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: cranberry chicken, orange chicken, savory chicken recipe, fall dinner, November dinner, easy chicken recipe, cranberry orange sauce