My vegetarian sister announced she was bringing her new boyfriend to Thanksgiving dinner, and I panicked because I needed a non-turkey main dish that still felt special. This cranberry orange glazed chicken saved the day when her boyfriend turned out to not be vegetarian after all (long story), and my uncle who always complains about dry turkey asked if we could skip the bird next year and just make this instead. The glossy cranberry glaze looks fancy but it's literally four ingredients and one pan.
Jump to:
- What is Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken
- How To Make Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken
- What Pairs Well With Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken?
- Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken Variations
- Equipment
- Storage Tips
- Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken Top Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Holiday Elegance Made Simple
- Related
- Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken
What is Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken
Cranberry orange glazed chicken is a festive main dish featuring tender chicken pieces coated in a sweet and tangy glaze made from fresh or frozen cranberries, orange juice, and honey or sugar, creating a beautiful ruby red sauce that caramelizes as it bakes. Unlike plain roasted chicken, the cranberry orange combination brings bright citrus notes and tart berry flavor that balance the richness of the meat. The result is a stunning holiday worthy dish that tastes complex but comes together with minimal effort and maximum wow factor.
How To Make Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken
Our cranberry orange glazed chicken uses fresh orange juice and zest instead of just marmalade, which creates brighter, more authentic citrus flavor without artificial sweetness. The secret is reducing the cranberry mixture on the stovetop first to concentrate flavors before glazing the chicken, which prevents watery sauce. After making this probably fifty times for various holiday dinners, I've learned exactly when to add the glaze so it caramelizes without burning.
Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts or 8 thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
For the Cranberry Orange Glaze:
- 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
- ¾ cup honey or brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
For Garnish:
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
- Orange slices
- Extra whole cranberries
Step by Step Method
Season and Sear the Chicken
- Pat chicken completely dry with paper towels
- Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder
- Heat olive oil in large oven safe skillet over medium high heat
- Sear chicken 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown
Cook the Cranberry Orange Glaze
- Combine cranberries, orange juice, and zest in medium saucepan
- Add honey, balsamic vinegar, ginger, cinnamon, and salt
- Bring to boil then reduce heat and simmer 10 to 12 minutes
- Stir occasionally until cranberries burst and sauce thickens
Glaze and Bake to Perfection
- Pour half the cranberry glaze over seared chicken in skillet
- Transfer skillet to preheated 375°F oven immediately
- Bake 20 to 25 minutes, basting with glaze halfway through
- Chicken is done when internal temp reaches 165°F
Finish with Glossy Coating
- Remove from oven and brush with remaining fresh glaze
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving for juices to redistribute
- Garnish with fresh herbs and orange slices
- The glaze should be thick, glossy, and beautifully caramelized
What Pairs Well With Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken?
This festive cranberry orange glazed chicken pairs beautifully with wild rice pilaf, roasted Brussels sprouts, or mashed sweet potatoes for complete holiday dinners. We love serving it alongside quinoa, roasted root vegetables, or green bean casserole for Thanksgiving alternatives. For Christmas dinners, try it with scalloped potatoes, glazed carrots, or cranberry sauce on the side. The sweet-tart glaze complements both starchy and vegetable sides perfectly.
Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken Variations
Slow Cooker Cranberry Orange Chicken
- Place raw chicken in slow cooker with half the glaze
- Cook on low 6 hours until tender and falling apart
- Brush with remaining glaze before serving
- Hands off method for busy holiday cooking
Grilled Cranberry Orange Chicken
- Marinate chicken in half the glaze for 2 hours
- Grill over medium heat 6 to 7 minutes per side
- Brush with fresh glaze during last few minutes
- Amazing smoky char with sweet-tart glaze
Spicy Cranberry Orange Chicken
- Add ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes to glaze
- Include splash of sriracha for extra heat
- Use jalapeño infused honey for spicy sweetness
- Perfect for people who like sweet and spicy
Instant Pot Cranberry Chicken
- Sear chicken using sauté function first
- Add half the glaze and pressure cook 8 minutes
- Thicken remaining glaze with cornstarch slurry
- Quick pressure cooker method for weeknight dinners
Equipment
- Large oven safe skillet for searing and baking
- Medium saucepan for making glaze
- Meat thermometer for perfect doneness
- Pastry brush for applying glaze
- Wooden spoon for stirring cranberries
- Measuring cups and spoons
Storage Tips
Best Fresh
- Serve hot from the oven for best taste and texture
- The glaze is glossiest and most flavorful when fresh
- Chicken stays juiciest when served immediately
- Leftovers are good but fresh is definitely superior
Make Ahead Strategy
- Prepare cranberry glaze up to 3 days ahead
- Store covered in refrigerator until ready to use
- Sear chicken earlier in day, then glaze and bake before serving
- Bring glaze to room temperature before using
Reheating Instructions
- Reheat in 350°F oven covered for 15 to 20 minutes
- Add splash of orange juice to prevent drying out
- Brush with fresh glaze after reheating for shine
- Microwave individual portions 90 seconds on medium power
Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken Top Tips
Fresh cranberries make this recipe but they're only in stores from October through December, which caused a minor crisis when I tried making this in March for my birthday dinner. I used frozen cranberries that I'd stashed in the freezer back in November, and my friend Alicia (who's a food scientist and worked for Ocean Spray for eight years) told me frozen actually work better than fresh in cooked applications. "The freezing breaks down cell walls," she explained, "so they release their juices faster and create a smoother sauce." She was absolutely right. Now I buy extra bags every November and freeze them so I can make this year round.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do orange and cranberry go together?
Yes! Orange and cranberry are a classic pairing. The sweet citrus perfectly balances cranberry's tartness while the flavors complement each other beautifully.
Do you glaze chicken before or after cooking?
Both! Glaze before baking to flavor the chicken, then brush with fresh glaze after cooking for a glossy, intensely flavored finish.
What's the best way to cook cranberry chicken?
Sear first for color and flavor, then bake with glaze at 375°F until cooked through. This method keeps chicken juicy while caramelizing the glaze.
Do chicken and orange go together?
Absolutely! Orange brings bright citrus notes that cut through chicken's richness. The combination is popular in many cuisines around the world.
Holiday Elegance Made Simple
Fifty holiday dinners later, this cranberry orange glazed chicken has become my go-to when I need something impressive that doesn't stress me out. Sometimes the best recipes are the ones that look way harder than they actually are.
Need more glazed chicken inspiration? Our Maple Dijon Chicken brings sweet-tangy flavors to easy weeknight dinners, while Maple Glazed Chicken with Sweet Potatoes creates a complete sheet pan meal. For more tangy glazed chicken, try our Honey Mustard Chicken that uses similar techniques with different flavors.
Post your gorgeous cranberry chicken and tag @HannahAndSproutKitchen with #CranberryOrangeChicken! That glossy red glaze always photographs so beautifully.
Star ⭐️ Rate this cranberry orange glazed chicken recipe and tell us what holiday you're making it for!
Related
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Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Heat oil in skillet and sear chicken 3–4 minutes per side.
- Combine cranberries, orange juice, zest, honey, vinegar, ginger, cinnamon, and salt in saucepan.
- Simmer 10–12 minutes until cranberries burst and sauce thickens.
- Pour half the glaze over seared chicken in skillet.
- Bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes, basting halfway through.
- Brush with remaining glaze and rest 5 minutes.
- Garnish with herbs and orange slices before serving.
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