Simple Slow Cooker Orange Cranberry Chicken Recipe
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Slow cooker cranberry orange chicken is simple, hands-off, and full of flavor. It’s made with tender boneless chicken breasts, tart cranberries, fresh oranges and a touch of sweetness. Everything goes right into the slow cooker after a quick sear in just a few minutes, and by dinnertime, you’ve got a flavor-packed dinner that practically cooked itself.
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Recipe Fast Facts:
Here is what you will need
Ingredients
- Boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh or frozen cranberries
- Fresh oranges + orange juice
- Garlic or garlic powder
- Honey or maple syrup
- Soy sauce (or tamari sauce)
- Fresh ginger or ground ginger
- Flour (or cornstarch or arrowroot powder)
Missing an ingredient? Find a substitute with the ingredient swap assistant!
How to Make Crockpot Orange Cranberry Chicken
- Chop the garlic, grate the ginger, rough chop the cranberries. Squeeze the juice from one orange and peel and chop the other. Measure the sweetener and soy sauce.
- Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel and add them to the skillet; cook until golden (for a few minutes) one each side.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and place them in the slow cooker.
- Top the chicken with the cranberries, orange pieces and orange juice.
- Cover and cook on low heat unitl the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (about for 4 hours).
Tips
- Adjust the sauce: If you prefer a thicker suace, whisk together a slurry of 1 tablespoon of flour or arrowroot powder with 3 tablespoons of water and gradually stir it into the sauce in the slow cooker.
- Add orange zest just before serving for a burst of flavor.
Serving Ideas
Finish cranberry orange chicken with fresh orange zest and a few extra cranberries. Spoon over mashed potatoes, brown rice, farro or quinoa. Add a veggie side like roasted brussels sprouts, green beans or a spinach salad.
Do you want more Crockpot inspiration? Check out these recipes.
Recipe Variations
Pineapple – add 3/4 cup chopped pineapple with cranberries. For a pineapple-forward version, use up to 1 1/2 cups and skip the orange.
Gluten-Free – Use tamari sauce or coconut aminos, and thicken the sauce with arrowroot, not flour.
Spicy – Add 1 to 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper or a diced jalapeno.
Protein – Boneless pork chops or pork tenderloin work well too.
Cranberries – Leftover cranberry sauce works in place of fresh cranberries.
How to Store Leftovers
- Refrigerate leftover cranberry orange chicken in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge or place the sealed container in cold water. Reheat on top of the stove, in the oven or in the microwave until hot.
Leftover Flips
- Cranberry Orange Chicken Wraps – Shred the chicken and wrap it up in a whole wheat tortilla with arugula, goate cheese and a smear of Dijon mustard.
- Grain Bowl – Layer the chicken over farro, wild rice or quinoa. Add spinach, and a drizzle of balsamic or tahini dressing.
- Flatbread – Use naan or store-bought flatbread. To with shredded chicken, caramelized onions, a sprinkle of mozzarella or feta and pop it in the oven until bubbly.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can! You will reduce cooking time by a few hours when you make this recipe in the oven. Simply brown the chicken in an ovenproof skillet or dutch oven medium high heat. Once the chicken breasts turn golden brown, add the remaining ingredients, cover the skillet and cook in a preheated oven at 350 degrees f.
It is not recommended. Pancake syrup is more processed and made with high fructose corn syrup. It might add a sweeter flavor to this recipe.
Any variety of orange will work in this recipe. I like to use clementines because they have no seeds. You can also use naval oranges, blood oranges or valencia oranges.
Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well. Sear them the same way, then cook on low for about 4 hours until tender.
Stir in a slurry near the end. Mix 1 tablespoon flour or arrowroot with 3 tablespoons water, whisk until smooth and cook for a few minutes until glossy.
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Have you tried these Healthy Recipes with Chicken?
- Chicken Murphy
- Healthy Crack Chicken
- Slow Cooker Chicken with Black Beans
- Braised Chicken with Apples
- Instant Pot Red Wine Chicken
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Slow Cooked Cranberry Chicken Breasts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound chicken breasts boneless, skinless
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 1/2 cups cranberries chopped
- 1/2 cup orange pieces
- 1 teaspoon ginger fresh
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce or tamari
- 1/4 cup orange juice freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon flour mixed with 1 tablespoon water optional
Instructions
- Prepare: chop the cranberries and oranges, squeeze the orange juice, crush the garlic, grate the ginger. Measure the syrup and tamari sauce.
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil in the skillet is hot, add the chicken breasts and cook on each side for few minutes until they become golden brown.
- Place the browned chicken pieces into the slow cooker.
- Top the chicken with the remaining ingredients, cover and cook on low heat for 4 hours.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used
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Ooohhh thhis looks so good! Thanks for another great recipe.
I love the orange cranberry twist on this chicken dish! So perfect and festive for Fall and I bet it makes your house smell amazing too.
We made this for dinner last night and it was absolutely delicious! The orange and cranberry flavors really came through. Such a great flavor combo!
I have to make a chicken dish for a pot luck and I am definitely going for this one! Gorgeous! Thank you for sharing!
Ejoy Jacqui!
Oh my goodness! I am loving this combination of flavors! Now this is the perfect fall chicken dish if you ask me!
I made this fall inspired chicken for our sunday meal and it was amazing. I browned the chicken and threw the rest of the ingredients and in the crockpot and let the magic happen. I loved the sweetness from the orange/honey and the tartness from the cranberries. The fresh ginger was really a special touch, thanks for a great recipe.
This Chicken recipe looks so tender! I love that it’s slow cooked and the combo of cranberry and orange is always the best!
Such a lovely, easy and super delicious chicken recipe. I absolutely love how the meat looks. SO tender and so juicy. Full of flavor. I can’t wait to make this!