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Home » 30 Minute Cranberry Orange Chicken

December 14, 2020 30 Minute Meals

30 Minute Cranberry Orange Chicken

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Just like takeout, but better! This spin on Chinese Orange Chicken has a fun spin to it with some tangy cranberry mixed in! This Cranberry Orange Chicken is a fun and delicious way to make your very own takeout!

cranberry orange pin image

What's In Orange Chicken?

Orange chicken gets its signature orange color from nothing other than orange juice! It also usually has a "crust" on the chicken made from a combination of corn starch and flour.

The sticky orange sauce is made from orange juice, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, vinegar, and sugar! But for this version, we are going to add in some tangy cranberry glaze at the end.

What Kind of Chicken to Use for Orange Chicken?

You can definitely use thighs or breast for this cranberry orange chicken recipe. Just cut it into 1 inch cubes and you are good to go! I used thighs just because I find them a bit juicier.

  • cranberry orange chicken on white plates surrounded by dried thyme and cranberries
  • close up shot of orange chicken on white plates with a gold spoon

Healthy Chinese Takeout

So I of course had to lighten these up a bit so we will just lightly toss the chicken in a bit of cornstarch before cooking.

I think this gets the little "crust" you would normally find in orange chicken, however it's not overpowering! This is still a very light dish that is perfect for a 30 minute weeknight dinner.

Instead of serving over rice, think about serving this with some broccoli, cauliflower rice, or over a crunchy salad!

If you like this Cranberry Orange Chicken you might also like my Egg Roll in a Bowl or Simple Seared Ahi Tuna!

Why Make Take Out At Home?

This is a great alternative to heading out the door for dinner. A couple of reasons I love doing "takeout night" at home include...

You can make this together! How romantic?! Or include the kiddos because the orange color is so fun - they will have a great time.

It's healthier - you know exactly what is going into this Cranberry Orange Chicken and that can give you peace of mind.

It's faster - I can almost promise you from start to finish this will take you less time than ordering takeout!

pinterest pin for cranberry orange chicken
cranberry orange chicken on white plates surrounded by dried thyme and cranberries

30 Minute Cranberry Orange Chicken

Take out style orange chicken with a twist! A few dried cranberries add the perfect tangy touch to this take out dish.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: 30 minute dinner, chicken breast, cranberry, orange chicken
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Sara Ayesh

Ingredients

  • 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs cubed
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 cup corn starch
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 2 tbsp corn starch
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme leaves
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • optional 2 cups cooked white rice for serving

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl combine the cubed chicken thighs, 1/2 cup corn starch, 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp pepper.
  • Toss until every piece of chicken is completely coated in the corn starch.
  • Over medium high heat, heat the coconut oil in a large skillet.
  • Add the chicken pieces to the skillet and leave for about 4-5 minutes on the first side so it gets a nice crust on it.
  • While that is cooking, in a mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and whisk too combine. This will be our sauce.
  • Flip the chicken pieces over and continue to cook 3-4 minutes.
  • Pour the sauce over the chicken and it will start to thicken almost immediately.
  • Turn down the heat and stir until ever piece of chicken is coated in the sauce.
  • Let it cook for another 5 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165F.
  • Serve with white rice or broccoli and enjoy!

Table of Contents

  • 1 What's In Orange Chicken?
  • 2 What Kind of Chicken to Use for Orange Chicken?
  • 3 Healthy Chinese Takeout
  • 4 Why Make Take Out At Home?
  • 5 30 Minute Cranberry Orange Chicken
« Holiday Appetizers For A Crowd
8 Unique Salads for your Christmas Table »

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Nice to meet you! I'm Sara Ayesh. A food photographer, blogger, mom, and wife! I'm so glad you are here to share in these simple, yet special recipes and easy entertaining tips! You'll find everything from recipes and my chicken adventures to home renovations! Let's have fun! Dig deeper →

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