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Cranberry Orange Chicken

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This festive cranberry orange chicken features juicy, golden-brown chicken thighs roasted in a sweet-tart cranberry orange sauce. It’s a showstopping holiday dinner that’s easy enough for a weeknight and naturally gluten-free.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 lbs)
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (about 1 large orange)
  • Zest from 1 orange
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (preferably low-sodium)
  • 1–2 sprigs fresh rosemary or thyme, or 1/2 teaspoon dried
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder (optional, for thickening)
  • 1 tablespoon water (for mixing with cornstarch/arrowroot, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Optionally, rub a pinch of orange zest under the skin.
  3. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 4-5 minutes until golden and crispy.
  4. Flip chicken skin-side up. Add minced garlic and most of the orange zest to the pan (reserve some zest for garnish). Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, honey or maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, and chicken broth. Pour this mixture around (not over) the chicken. Add cranberries and rosemary or thyme.
  6. Transfer the skillet to the oven. Roast uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until chicken reaches 165°F internally and cranberries have burst. Baste chicken once or twice with pan juices.
  7. If a thicker sauce is desired, remove chicken to a plate. Simmer pan juices on the stovetop over medium heat. Mix cornstarch or arrowroot with water, whisk into sauce, and simmer 2-3 minutes until thickened.
  8. Return chicken to the pan, spoon sauce and cranberries over the top. Garnish with reserved orange zest and extra herbs. Serve hot.

Notes

For crispier skin, broil chicken for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching closely. Adjust sweetness to taste if cranberries are very tart. For boneless thighs or breasts, reduce roasting time. Leftovers keep well and sauce thickens as it cools—add broth to loosen when reheating. This recipe is naturally gluten-free; always check broth and vinegar labels.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry orange chicken, holiday chicken recipe, gluten-free chicken, festive dinner, easy chicken thighs, Christmas dinner, Thanksgiving chicken, one-pan chicken, citrus chicken, cranberry sauce chicken

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/cranberry-orange-chicken-recipe-easy-holiday-dinner-idea/