Mediterranean Pan-Seared Chicken with Tangy Cranberry Orange Sauce
Juicy pan-seared chicken breasts served with a vibrant, naturally sweet-tangy cranberry orange sauce made with fresh citrus, garlic, herbs, and a touch of honey. It’s Mediterranean-friendly, non-spicy, antioxidant-rich, and incredibly satisfying.
⏱ Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: 30–35 minutes
Ingredients
For the Chicken
2 chicken breasts
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt & black pepper
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp dried thyme
1 tbsp lemon juice
For the Tangy Cranberry Orange Sauce
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
½ cup fresh orange juice (about 1 large orange)
1 tsp orange zest
1–2 tbsp honey (to taste)
1 small garlic clove, finely minced
¼ tsp dried rosemary or thyme
A pinch of salt
2–3 tbsp water (if needed to thin)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken
1. Pat chicken dry and season both sides with:
- salt
- pepper
- garlic powder
- oregano
- thyme
- lemon juice
2. Let it rest for 5 minutes while heating the pan.
2. Pan-Sear the Chicken
1. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet on medium-high.
2. Add chicken and sear:
4–5 minutes per side until golden.
3. Reduce heat, cover, and cook another 3–4 minutes until cooked through.
4. Remove chicken and set aside.
3. Make the Cranberry Orange Sauce
1. In the same pan, add cranberries and orange juice.
2. Stir in orange zest, honey, garlic, rosemary/thyme, and a small pinch of salt.
3. Simmer for 6–8 minutes until cranberries burst and sauce thickens.
4. Add 2–3 tbsp water if it becomes too thick.
5. Taste and adjust sweetness or tanginess.
4. Combine
Return chicken to the pan.
Spoon the sauce over the chicken and warm for 1–2 minutes.
Serve With (Mediterranean-Friendly Options)
- Lemon couscous
- Herbed quinoa
- Roasted broccoli
- Garlic green beans
- Mediterranean salad.
✨ Chef Tips
Use fresh oranges for best flavor.
Add a splash of balsamic vinegar for deeper richness.
Sauce thickens as it cools—add water to loosen if reheating.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 360–390
Protein: 32–35g
Carbs: 26–32g
Fat: 12–15g
Fiber: 3–4g
Naturally sweetened, no refined sugar