Festive Chicken with Bell Pepper and Mandarin Oranges

Ingredients

• 1 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs
• 2 cups orange bell pepper
• 1 cup mandarin orange sections
• 1 white onion
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons light olive oil
• 1 cup low sodium chicken broth

Instructions

1. 1Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Ensure all ingredients are prepped: pat the skinless boneless chicken thighs dry, dice the orange bell pepper into 1-inch pieces, chop the white onion, and drain the mandarin orange sections.
2. 2In a large, oven-safe skillet (cast iron or similar), heat 2 tablespoons of light olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs and sear for about 3-4 minutes per side until deeply golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
3. 3Reduce heat to medium. Add the chopped white onion to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the 2 teaspoons of garlic powder and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4. 4Add the diced orange bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften slightly. Stir in the drained mandarin orange sections.
5. 5Season the vegetables and fruit mixture with 1 teaspoon of Thyme, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of coarsely ground pepper. Stir well to combine.
6. 6Pour in 1 cup of low sodium chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Carefully place the seared chicken thighs back into the skillet, nestling them among the vegetables and fruit.
7. 7Transfer the entire skillet to the preheated oven. Roast for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken thighs are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The orange bell pepper should be tender-crisp, and the sauce slightly reduced.
8. 8Carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving hot. This dish is designed to be a complete meal, serving 4.