Cozy Cranberry Chicken (Printable Version)

Juicy chicken simmered in a bright sauce with tangy orange, sweet cranberries, and honey for the perfect sweet-savory mix.

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 1 cup of fresh cranberries
02 - 1 large orange—juice it and save the zest too
03 - 2 tablespoons of maple syrup or honey, your choice
04 - 4 boneless chicken thighs or breasts
05 - 1 teaspoon fresh or 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary or thyme
06 - 2 garlic cloves, minced up finely
07 - 1/2 cup of chicken broth or plain water
08 - A drizzle of olive oil, about a tablespoon
09 - Salt and pepper—adjust to what you like

→ Optional Ingredients

10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, for a bit of tanginess
11 - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar adds richer flavor

# Steps:

01 - Sprinkle your salt, pepper, and that small pinch of thyme or rosemary right over the chicken. Marinating for half an hour is a nice option, but you don't have to do it—your dish will still taste great anyway.
02 - Put your skillet on medium-high heat and pour in the olive oil. When the oil's hot, toss in the chicken. Let it cook for about 4–6 minutes per side until they look golden. Take 'em out and leave them aside for now.
03 - Using that same skillet, sauté garlic for 30 seconds so it releases its aroma. Dump in the cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, and honey (or syrup). Give it all a good stir and let it bubble softly. In about 5–7 minutes, the berries should pop and the liquid will thicken up.
04 - Pop the cooked chicken back into the skillet. Scoop a bit of sauce over each piece. Pour in the broth or water. Scrape the skillet's bottom to grab all the flavorful bits, then drop the heat down low. Cover it up and simmer for 10–12 minutes until the chicken hits 165°F inside.
05 - After it's all done, spoon the rich cranberry-orange mix over your chicken. For flair, sprinkle a few orange zest pieces or some fresh herbs.

# Notes:

01 - It tastes awesome with something like roasted veggies, wild rice, or even some salad greens on the side.
02 - If fresh cranberries aren't an option, use dried ones instead. Just scale it down to 1/2 cup.
03 - Want it sweeter? Toss in one more tablespoon of honey or syrup.

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