Quick & Healthy: 30-Minute Cranberry Balsamic Chicken Skillet for Easy Weeknights

Are you looking for a delicious and effortless dinner solution that truly delivers? This Cranberry Balsamic Chicken Skillet is your answer! It comes together in just 30 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight meal for your family. Prepare to impress everyone with a dish that’s both flavorful and incredibly easy to prepare, transforming ordinary evenings into culinary successes.

This recipe was proudly created in partnership with Healthy Aperture Blogger Network for the #JuiceCentral campaign. I was compensated for my time to develop and share this wonderful recipe.

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Mastering the Weeknight Dinner Game with One-Pan Wonders

I have to tell you, I’ve been seriously excelling in the weeknight dinner game lately. That’s not something I can often boast about, so I’m going to say it loud and proud today! It might just be simple, quick dinners, but the important thing is that dinner is happening, and it’s delicious. I genuinely believe my newfound adoration for skillet meals is a significant part of this success. There’s truly nothing quite like a good one-pan meal when you’re striving to get a wholesome dinner on the table without a fuss. The minimal cleanup and straightforward process make skillet dishes like this Cranberry Balsamic Chicken Skillet an absolute lifesaver for busy families. If you’re looking to streamline your cooking routine, embracing one-pan recipes, such as this Lemon Pepper Chicken with Artichokes, Mushrooms, and Asparagus, is an excellent place to start. They allow you to concentrate on flavor and nutrition without getting bogged down by complicated steps or excessive dishes.

The Inspiration Behind This Cranberry Balsamic Chicken Skillet

Today’s Cranberry Balsamic Chicken Skillet was originally inspired by a recipe I stumbled upon months ago in a cookbook for slow cooker cranberry chicken. The concept of combining cranberries with chicken intrigued me and lingered in my mind. Although this skillet version has evolved into something quite different from that slow cooker recipe, the core idea of a sweet and tangy cranberry sauce paired with tender chicken remained. I finally brought this vision to life in an easy, quick-cooking format, and the results were spectacular! My entire family absolutely adored this chicken dish, making it an instant favorite in our household. It’s a testament to how inspiration can lead to exciting new culinary creations, especially when adapting ideas to fit a busy lifestyle.

Key Ingredients for a Burst of Flavor and Nutrition

For this delightful Cranberry Balsamic Chicken Skillet, I focused on a few simple yet powerful ingredients that deliver both incredible flavor and essential nutrients. The star players include 100% cranberry juice, balsamic vinegar, orange marmalade for a touch of natural sweetness, and vibrant fresh cranberries. I don’t know about you, but I often find myself with a couple of bags of fresh cranberries stashed away in the freezer after the holiday season, just waiting to be used. This recipe provided the perfect opportunity to put them to good use, infusing the dish with their characteristic tartness and beautiful color.

Incorporating 100% pure fruit juice into skillet sauces like this is an ingenious way to boost your intake of important vitamins and nutrients. You get many of the same benefits as you would from whole fruit, including vital potassium, immune-boosting vitamin C, magnesium, and a host of beneficial plant compounds. The critical factor here is vigilance: always check ingredient labels when selecting juices. Look specifically for “100% fruit juice” with no added sugars or artificial flavors. This ensures you’re harnessing natural goodness. It’s truly a simple yet effective method to add authentic, natural flavor and a nutritional punch to your everyday recipes, transforming a simple sauce into a vibrant, health-conscious element of your meal.

Serving Suggestions for the Perfect Meal

I served this incredibly flavorful Cranberry Balsamic Chicken Skillet with creamy mashed sweet potatoes, and it proved to be the absolute perfect side dish. The natural sweetness of the potatoes beautifully complemented the tartness of the cranberries and the savory notes of the chicken, creating a harmonious and comforting meal. My husband even commented that dinner reminded him of Thanksgiving – now, how’s that for bringing a little festive holiday spirit to a regular Monday night? This pairing is a winner, but feel free to explore other options. Wild rice, quinoa, or even a simple green salad would also make fantastic accompaniments, soaking up every last drop of that incredible cranberry balsamic sauce. For an extra touch, consider a sprinkle of fresh parsley or rosemary before serving to enhance the aroma and visual appeal of this stunning dish.

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Cranberry Balsamic Chicken Skillet

Author: Aggie’s Kitchen
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Category: Chicken, Weeknight Dinners, Skillet Meals
Method: Skillet Cooking, Pan-Frying

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This Cranberry Balsamic Chicken Skillet is a culinary triumph for busy weeknights, coming together in just 30 minutes! Tender chicken breast strips are coated in a vibrant, sweet-tart sauce made from 100% cranberry juice, tangy balsamic vinegar, a hint of orange marmalade, and fresh cranberries. It’s an easy, healthy, and incredibly flavorful one-pan meal your family will adore, perfect for a quick yet gourmet-tasting dinner.

Ingredients

2 teaspoons light oil (such as olive oil or avocado oil)
1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch thick strips
coarse salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 cup 100% unsweetened cranberry juice (ensure no added sugar for optimal flavor and health benefits)
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar (a good quality vinegar makes a difference)
2 heaping tablespoons orange marmalade (provides sweetness and citrus notes)
1/8 teaspoon crushed dried rosemary (or a small sprig of fresh rosemary, removed before serving)
1/2 cup fresh cranberries (frozen cranberries can also be used, no need to thaw)

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Instructions

Prepare Chicken: Heat 2 teaspoons of light oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. While the skillet is heating, generously season your chicken breast strips with coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides. This initial seasoning is crucial for building a foundational layer of flavor.
Sear Chicken: Using tongs, carefully place the seasoned chicken strips into the hot skillet. Be mindful not to overcrowd the pan; if your skillet isn’t large enough, you may need to cook the chicken in two batches during this initial browning phase to ensure an even sear. Brown the chicken on both sides for about 3-5 minutes per side, until golden and lightly crisped. Once nicely browned, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside on a clean plate. The chicken doesn’t need to be cooked through at this point, as it will finish cooking in the sauce.
Build the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter to the same skillet, allowing it to melt. In a small bowl, whisk together the 100% unsweetened cranberry juice, balsamic vinegar, orange marmalade, and crushed dried rosemary until well combined. Pour this delicious mixture into the skillet. Immediately add the fresh cranberries (or frozen, no need to thaw) to the pan. Let the sauce simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes. During this time, the cranberries will begin to burst and soften, releasing their tangy juices and thickening the sauce slightly.
Combine and Simmer: Return the seared chicken strips to the pan, nestling them into the simmering cranberry balsamic sauce. Turn the chicken strips gently with tongs to ensure they are thoroughly coated in the flavorful sauce. Continue to cook on a low simmer for approximately 5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency and the chicken is fully cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Season and Serve: Taste the sauce and chicken, then adjust for salt and pepper as needed. Sometimes a little extra salt can really make the flavors pop. Serve this delightful Cranberry Balsamic Chicken Skillet immediately. It pairs wonderfully with creamy mashed sweet potatoes, fluffy wild rice, or even a light quinoa salad for a complete and satisfying meal. Enjoy your quick, healthy, and incredibly flavorful dinner!

Disclosure: This recipe was proudly created in partnership with Healthy Aperture Blogger Network for the #JuiceCentral campaign. I was compensated for my time in developing this delightful dish. Thank you for supporting the brands and collaborations that make Aggie’s Kitchen possible and allow me to bring you more delicious recipes!

More Easy Skillet Recipes for Your Weeknights:

If you loved the simplicity and flavor of this Cranberry Balsamic Chicken Skillet, you’ll be thrilled to discover more quick and easy one-pan meal ideas. Skillet dinners are truly a game-changer for busy weeknights, offering maximum flavor with minimal cleanup. Explore these other fantastic skillet recipes to keep your dinner rotation exciting and stress-free:

Skillet Italian Sausage and Peppers with Potatoes: A hearty and savory classic made simple in one pan.
Cheesy Southwest Beef and Potato Skillet: This flavor-packed skillet is a huge hit with my kids – they ask for it ALL the time!
BBQ Chicken, Kale and Quinoa Bowl: A vibrant, healthy, and satisfying bowl that comes together quickly.
Italian Beef Skillet Dinner | Mom to Mom Nutrition: Another delicious one-pan Italian-inspired meal.
20 Minute Kielbasa and Cabbage Skillet | Barefeet in the Kitchen: An incredibly fast and comforting meal perfect for any night.