Get ready to find your new favorite holiday centerpiece or your go-to impressive weeknight dinner. This Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken recipe is the perfect blend of sweet, tart, and savory, resulting in incredibly juicy chicken with a stunning, sticky glaze. It looks and tastes like a gourmet meal but is surprisingly simple to prepare.
We’ve all been there: searching for a dish that’s special enough for guests but easy enough not to cause a panic. This is that dish. The vibrant cranberry and zesty orange come together in a sauce that beautifully caramelizes on the chicken, creating a flavor that’s simply unforgettable.
Why This Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken Recipe Works
The magic of this dish lies in its simplicity and the balance of its flavors. You don’t need complicated techniques or ingredients to achieve a spectacular result. The homemade glaze, made with whole berry cranberry sauce and fresh orange juice, creates a much richer and more textured coating than a simple pan sauce. Baking the chicken after an initial sear ensures it cooks through evenly while remaining moist and tender on the inside.
The Perfect Balance of Sweet and Tart
The star of the show is undeniably the glaze. We use whole berry cranberry sauce as the base for its texture and deep flavor. Freshly squeezed orange juice and zest cut through the sweetness, adding a bright, citrusy note. A touch of soy sauce and Dijon mustard introduces a savory depth that prevents the glaze from being one-note, making this Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken a truly well-rounded and satisfying meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses pantry staples and easy-to-find ingredients to create its signature flavor.
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work wonderfully, but chicken thighs are also a great, flavorful option.
- For the Glaze: Whole berry cranberry sauce, orange juice, orange zest, honey, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard.
- Aromatics: Fresh garlic and a touch of ginger to build a fragrant flavor base.
- Seasoning: Salt, black pepper, and a little olive oil for searing.
How to Make Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken
Follow these simple steps to create a show-stopping meal. The key is to build the glaze’s flavor in the skillet before baking the chicken to perfection.
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Start by patting the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. This is a crucial step to ensure you get a beautiful golden-brown sear. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
Step 2: Make the Cranberry Orange Glaze
In a medium bowl, whisk together the whole berry cranberry sauce, orange juice, orange zest, honey, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard. Set it aside. This mixture will become a thick, bubbly, and delicious glaze.
Step 3: Sear and Bake the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken in the hot skillet and sear for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. You are not cooking it through here, just developing flavor and color. Once seared, transfer the skillet to a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C).
Step 4: Glaze and Finish
After about 15 minutes of baking, remove the skillet from the oven. Spoon half of the cranberry orange glaze over the chicken breasts. Return the skillet to the oven and bake for another 5-7 minutes. Spoon the remaining glaze over the top and bake for a final 5 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving, allowing the juices to redistribute.
Tips for Recipe Success
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Use a skillet large enough to hold the chicken in a single layer without touching. This ensures each piece sears properly instead of steaming.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: The absolute best way to guarantee juicy, perfectly cooked chicken is to use an instant-read thermometer. Pull the chicken from the oven as soon as it hits 165°F (74°C).
- Let It Rest: Allowing the chicken to rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing is essential. This lets the juices settle back into the meat, keeping it moist and flavorful.
Choosing the Best Cut of Chicken
This recipe is versatile! While we love boneless, skinless chicken breasts for a lean option, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are also fantastic. They have a bit more fat, which makes them extra juicy and flavorful. The cooking time may be slightly longer for thighs, so rely on your meat thermometer for perfect results.
What to Serve With Your Glazed Chicken
This Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. For a truly festive meal, serve it alongside roasted vegetables. We highly recommend trying these bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts for a savory complement. Creamy mashed potatoes, wild rice, or a simple green salad also work wonderfully to soak up the delicious glaze.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
You can prepare the cranberry orange glaze up to 3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Leftover cooked chicken can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or in a skillet with a splash of water or chicken broth to keep it from drying out. This makes it a great option for meal prep during a busy week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! The glaze can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This makes assembling the dish even faster on a busy day.
You can, but you will need to make a sauce from scratch first. Cook 12 oz of frozen cranberries with 1/2 cup of orange juice and 1/2 cup of sugar until the berries burst. Then, proceed with the glaze recipe. Using canned whole berry sauce is a significant time-saver.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place the chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water or broth to keep it moist, or reheat it in the microwave.
This recipe works beautifully with both boneless, skinless chicken breasts and thighs. Thighs will be slightly juicier due to their higher fat content, but breasts are a great lean option. Just be sure to use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking.
This dish is very versatile. It pairs well with roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts or asparagus, creamy mashed potatoes, wild rice, or a simple quinoa salad. Anything that can soak up the extra glaze is a great choice!
More Delicious Recipes to Try
If you loved this recipe, you’ll adore our other festive dishes. For another holiday showstopper, check out our amazing Christmas Salmon recipe. And if you’re looking for a perfect holiday appetizer, this festive cranberry jalapeno dip (coming soon) is always a crowd-pleaser. We hope you enjoy this Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken! If you make it, please leave a comment below or share a photo with us on Pinterest. We love seeing your creations!
Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken Recipe
Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken (The Perfect Festive Dinner)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the whole berry cranberry sauce, orange juice, orange zest, honey, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes.
- Carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Spoon half of the glaze over the chicken. Return to the oven and bake for another 5-7 minutes.
- Spoon the remaining glaze over the chicken and bake for a final 5 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F (74°C).
- Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest in the skillet for 5 minutes before serving. Spoon extra glaze from the pan over the chicken when serving.
Notes
Tip 2: Ensure your skillet is oven-safe. If you don't have one, you can sear the chicken in a regular skillet and transfer it to a baking dish to finish in the oven.
