Skillet Spiced Cranberry Chicken

Infuse your weeknight dinner routine with bold, festive flavors by trying this irresistible Skillet Spiced Cranberry Chicken recipe. Juicy bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are expertly seasoned with warm spices like cinnamon and paprika, then seared to golden perfection in a single skillet. The dish truly shines with its vibrant cranberry sauce, a tangy-sweet medley of fresh cranberries, honey, orange juice, and fragrant rosemary simmered to create a glossy, flavorful glaze. Ready in just 50 minutes, this one-pan dinner cuts down on cleanup while delivering a dish that’s both elegant and comforting. Serve alongside mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or rice to soak up every last drop of that luscious sauce. Perfect for weeknight meals or holiday-worthy occasions, this quick and easy cranberry chicken recipe is bound to become a new seasonal favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 0.5 cup Chicken stock
• 1.5 cups Fresh cranberries
• 3 tablespoons Honey
• 0.25 cup Orange juice
• 1 teaspoon Orange zest
• 1 teaspoon Fresh rosemary, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season them evenly with salt, black pepper, ground cinnamon, and paprika on both sides.

Step 2

Heat a large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, place the chicken thighs skin-side down. Sear for 5-7 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Flip the chicken and sear for another 2 minutes on the other side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3

In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.

Step 4

Pour in the chicken stock, scraping the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to deglaze and loosen any browned bits. Add the fresh cranberries, honey, orange juice, orange zest, and chopped rosemary. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 5

Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, skin-side up, nestling them into the cranberry mixture. Reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet with a lid or aluminum foil.

Step 6

Cook for 20-25 minutes, occasionally spooning the cranberry sauce over the chicken, until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C).

Step 7

Remove the lid and let the dish simmer uncovered for another 5 minutes to thicken the sauce slightly. If the sauce reduces too much, add a splash of chicken stock to loosen it.

Step 8

Garnish with additional rosemary if desired and serve hot with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or rice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1252.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2055.0

Total Fat 133.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 33.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 496.6mg	0%
Sodium 2926.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 101.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.5g	0%
Total Sugars 70.4g
Protein 117.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 147.2mg	0%
Iron 8.5mg	0%
Potassium 1833.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 57.9%

Protein: 22.6%

Carbs: 19.5%