Cranberry BBQ Chicken Skillet: Easy One-Pan Dinner Idea

This Cranberry BBQ Chicken Skillet recipe is a true weeknight hero, bringing together tender chicken with a vibrant, sweet, and tangy cranberry glaze.

It’s a fantastic way to infuse your dinner routine with exciting flavors without spending hours in the kitchen. Perfect for busy families, this one-pan wonder delivers a delicious meal with minimal fuss and cleanup.

Get ready to discover how simple it is to create a dish that’s both comforting and impressive. This recipe is designed to be straightforward, ensuring a successful and tasty outcome every time you make it.

Print

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This Cranberry BBQ Chicken Skillet is a recipe you’ll find yourself turning to again and again because it hits all the right notes for a busy household. It’s incredibly fast to prepare, making it ideal for those evenings when time is short but you still want a homemade, flavorful meal. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and the delightful balance of sweet and savory notes from the cranberry BBQ glaze. It’s perfect for anyone looking to add a bit of zest to their chicken dinners without venturing into complicated culinary territory. This recipe works wonderfully as a standalone main course, paired with a simple side salad, or alongside some fluffy rice or roasted vegetables. It’s a crowd-pleaser that appeals to both adults and children, making it a fantastic option for family dinners any night of the week.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients for this Cranberry BBQ Chicken Skillet is a breeze. Most items are likely already in your pantry or readily available at any grocery store. The combination of tender chicken and a rich, fruity glaze creates a harmonious flavor profile that’s both comforting and exciting.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce (canned or homemade)
• ½ cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

For simple substitutions, if you don’t have boneless, skinless chicken breasts, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used instead; just be aware they might require a minute or two longer to cook through. When choosing your cranberry sauce, either jellied or whole berry will work, but whole berry adds a nice texture. Feel free to use your preferred brand of BBQ sauce—anything from a smoky to a sweet variety will complement the cranberries beautifully. If you don’t have fresh orange juice, a splash of bottled orange juice will do the trick.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

This recipe is designed for speed and efficiency, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 15-20 minutes
• Total time: 25-30 minutes

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating this delicious Cranberry BBQ Chicken Skillet is straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfect meal every time.

1. Prepare the Chicken: Start by patting your chicken pieces dry with paper towels. This helps them brown better. Season the chicken all over with salt and pepper.
2. Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, until they are golden brown and mostly cooked through. Don’t worry if they aren’t fully cooked yet, as they will finish cooking in the sauce. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. Whisk the Glaze: In a medium bowl, combine the cranberry sauce, BBQ sauce, orange juice, apple cider vinegar, and dried thyme. Whisk until all ingredients are well combined and smooth.
4. Simmer the Glaze: Pour the cranberry BBQ glaze into the same skillet you used for the chicken. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Let it simmer for about 3-5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon.
5. Combine Chicken and Glaze: Return the seared chicken pieces to the skillet, tossing them gently to coat them completely with the cranberry BBQ glaze.
6. Finish Cooking: Continue to cook for another 3-5 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
7. Serve Warm: Remove the skillet from the heat. If desired, garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This Cranberry BBQ Chicken Skillet is incredibly versatile, making it easy to adapt to different tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you might want to use a milder BBQ sauce and ensure the chicken pieces are cut into smaller, bite-sized chunks to make them easier for little hands to manage. You could also serve it alongside some mac and cheese or simple buttered noodles, which are always a hit with children.

To add more vegetables, consider stirring in some steamed broccoli florets or green beans during the last few minutes of cooking, allowing them to warm through and absorb some of the delicious glaze. For a heartier meal, serve the chicken and sauce over a bed of fluffy white rice, quinoa, or even mashed potatoes. It also pairs wonderfully with a fresh green salad to add a touch of lightness.

If you’re looking to make this dish suitable for a party or buffet, you can easily double the recipe and keep it warm in a slow cooker on a “warm” setting after cooking. Provide toothpicks for easy serving if presenting it as an appetizer. Optional toppings can elevate the dish further; a sprinkle of toasted pecans or walnuts can add a lovely crunch, or a dash of red pepper flakes can introduce a subtle heat if you enjoy a little spice.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Being aware of these can help ensure your Cranberry BBQ Chicken Skillet turns out perfectly every time.

One frequent mistake is overcrowding the skillet when searing the chicken. If you put too many pieces in at once, the chicken will steam instead of brown, resulting in a less flavorful exterior. To avoid this, cook the chicken in batches if necessary, ensuring there’s enough space between each piece.

Another common issue is overcooking the chicken. Chicken breasts can dry out quickly. Keep an eye on the cooking times and use a meat thermometer if you’re unsure. Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Once it hits that temperature, remove it from the heat promptly.

Not letting the sauce simmer long enough can result in a thin, watery glaze that doesn’t properly coat the chicken. Give the sauce a few minutes to gently simmer and thicken. It should be able to coat the back of a spoon. Conversely, simmering the sauce for too long can make it overly thick and sticky. If this happens, you can thin it out with a tablespoon or two of water or chicken broth until it reaches your desired consistency.

Finally, not seasoning the chicken adequately before searing can lead to a bland dish. Don’t skip the salt and pepper on the chicken itself; it builds a foundational layer of flavor that the glaze then enhances.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

This Cranberry BBQ Chicken Skillet is excellent for meal prepping or enjoying leftovers, and it stores beautifully.

To store any leftovers, allow the chicken and sauce to cool completely to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 3-4 days.

When reheating, you have a few options to maintain the best texture. For individual servings, the microwave works well; heat on medium power, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. If reheating a larger quantity, transfer the chicken and sauce to a skillet on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Add a splash of water or chicken broth if the sauce seems too thick, and stir gently until heated through. You can also reheat it in an oven-safe dish covered with foil at 300°F (150°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until warm. Avoid overheating, as this can dry out the chicken.

Making this dish ahead is also a great option. You can prepare the entire recipe as directed, cool it, and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat as described above. The flavors often meld and deepen overnight, making it even more delicious the next day. You can also prepare the cranberry BBQ glaze ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. When ready to cook, simply sear the chicken and then add the prepared sauce to finish the dish.

Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe

Can I use bone-in chicken?

While boneless, skinless chicken breasts are recommended for speed, you can use bone-in chicken pieces. However, they will require a longer cooking time, likely 25-3

FAQs

• Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
• How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
• Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
• Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.