Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine honey, orange juice, orange zest, ground cinnamon, kosher salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken breasts, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor).
Prep the Cranberry Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the cranberries and a splash of water. Stir occasionally until the cranberries begin to burst, about 5-7 minutes. Once softened, mash slightly with a fork and stir in 0.125 cup of the honey-orange marinade. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.
Toast the Nuts: In a dry skillet over medium heat, lightly toast the chopped walnuts for about 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant. Be careful not to burn them. Remove from heat and set aside.
Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off, and place them in the skillet. Cook each side for about 5-7 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
Combine and Serve: Once the chicken is cooked, reduce the heat to low and pour the cranberry sauce over the chicken, allowing it to warm through for about 2 minutes. Sprinkle the toasted walnuts on top. Serve the chicken garnished with fresh parsley.
Optional: For a complete meal, pair with roasted sweet potatoes or a side salad dressed in olive oil and lemon.
Notes
For a complete meal, pair with roasted sweet potatoes or a side salad dressed in olive oil and lemon.