Cranberry Chicken with Brie and Orange-Maple Sauce Recipe
Cranberry Chicken is a flavorful and vibrant dish featuring tender pan-seared chicken breasts topped with a tangy and slightly sweet cranberry sauce and melted brie cheese. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this recipe blends savory herbs, fresh cranberries, and a touch of maple syrup to create an irresistible balance of flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 6 ounces each)
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce
- ½ small yellow onion (finely diced)
- 1½ cups fresh cranberries
- ½ cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (or brown sugar)
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Topping
- 4 ounces brie cheese (sliced and rind removed, or mozzarella cheese)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts with the flat side of a meat mallet until they reach an even thickness. Season both sides of the chicken with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme leaves to evenly distribute the spices.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for 6 to 7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate and cover to keep warm.
- Sauté Onions: In the same skillet, add the diced yellow onion. Add more oil if necessary. Cook the onions for 2 to 3 minutes until they soften and become translucent, enhancing their natural sweetness.
- Make the Cranberry Sauce: Stir in the fresh cranberries, orange juice, maple syrup, and balsamic vinegar into the skillet with the onions. Let the mixture simmer uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cranberries will break down and the sauce will thicken to a rich consistency.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken breasts along with any accumulated juices to the skillet with the cranberry sauce. Allow the chicken to simmer in the sauce for 1 to 2 minutes so it heats through and absorbs some of the flavors.
- Add Cheese and Rest: Place slices of brie cheese on top of each chicken breast, cover the skillet, and remove it from the heat. Let the chicken rest for 3 minutes, allowing the cheese to soften and slightly melt over the warm chicken.
- Serve: Spoon the thickened cranberry sauce generously over each piece of chicken and serve warm. Enjoy a delightful combination of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors.
Notes
- For a milder cheese option, mozzarella can be substituted for brie.
- Pounding the chicken ensures even cooking and tender texture.
- This dish pairs well with rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables.
- The sauce can be made a day ahead and reheated gently before serving.
- Fresh cranberries provide a vibrant tartness, but frozen cranberries can be used as a substitute.
Keywords: cranberry chicken, chicken breast recipe, cranberry sauce chicken, skillet chicken, fall dinner recipe, quick chicken dish
