Who says skillet chicken is boring? This golden-brown chicken in a creamy orange thyme sauce is anything but. It's easy to make, packed with flavor, and on the table in just 20 minutes. Perfect with roasted potatoes, vegetables, or tagliatelle.
Creamy Orange Thyme Chicken - On the Table in 20 Minutes
When there's a special occasion but I don't want to fuss, I reach for simple, festive dishes. Think Saltimbocca, or Baked Ham with Cumberland Sauce? But if I feel like cooking with chicken, this is my go-to. It's quick, reliable, and always a hit. The chicken turns out super tender, and the sauce is creamy, citrusy, and full of fresh thyme flavor.
Delicious with fried potatoes and, for example, this Caprese salad.
Tips for the Best Easy Orange Chicken Recipe with Fresh Thyme
- Pat the chicken dry before dredging for a crispy crust.
- Use freshly squeezed orange juice for the best flavor.
- Let the sauce reduce by half to get it nice and thick.
- Fresh thyme adds a deeper aroma, but dried thyme works too.
- Add a teaspoon of orange zest for extra brightness.
- Chicken thighs make it even juicier.
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Ingredients
Perfect Fried Chicken Breast
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons sunflower oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 chicken breasts
Orange Thyme Sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 2 twigs fresh thyme, or 2 teaspoons dried
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 2 oranges, juice
- ½ cup sour cream
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
Chicken
- Heat oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons sunflower oil
- Mix flour, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl. Pat the chicken dry, coat it in flour, and shake off any excess.¼ teaspoon salt, ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper, 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Fry chicken 2 minutes per side until golden.2 chicken breasts
- Reduce heat and let it fry for 10 more minutes.
Orange Thyme Sauce
- In a separate pan, melt butter and sauté shallot for 3 minutes.1 tablespoon butter, 1 shallot
- Add thyme, chicken broth, and orange juice.2 twigs fresh thyme, 1 cup chicken stock, 2 oranges
- Bring to a boil and simmer until reduced by half.
- Stir in sour cream and season with salt and pepper.½ cup sour cream
Serve
- Serve chicken with the sauce and garnish with fresh thyme.
Notes
- Pasta: Slice chicken and serve with tagliatelle and sauce.
- Veggies: Add broccoli, green beans, or zucchini.
- Potatoes: Serve with roasted baby potatoes or mashed potatoes.
- No oranges? Use mandarins or a mix of orange and lemon.
- Fridge: Store chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers for up to 2 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight.
- Reheat:
- Chicken: Gently in a pan or oven (25 min at 320 °F (ca. 160 °C) ).
- Sauce: Warm in a saucepan while stirring. The crème fraîche won't curdle.
Nutrition
Jessica says
This is one of our favorite chicken recipes! We make it all the time and it’s incredibly delicious.
Andréa says
Thank you for your nice comment. Our family loves this recipe so much!