I’m always looking for new chicken recipes. While searching the internet I had seen a maple cranberry syrup for pancakes and thought to myself, that sounds like a delicious combination. My love of panko breadcrumbs and this winning flavor combination gave birth to panko crusted chicken with maple cranberry sauce. I must say, we were pleasantly surprised with the delicious result. Since my initial run on the recipe, I’ve made it for company on two occasions and it was very well received.
When I originally developed this recipe I knew I wanted to use panko breadcrumbs. They are one of my favorite ingredients to use in cooking. If you’ve never used panko before, you really don’t know what you are missing. The texture it adds to the recipe is delicious and they get more crispy than traditional breadcrumbs.
You may think the sauce is tart because of the cranberries but the maple syrup and wine cut the tartness without making the sauce too sweet. It’s a perfect balance.
I hope you will continue to celebrate #CranberryWeek with me and my blogger friends. Check out today’s recipes below.

Panko Crusted Chicken with Maple Cranberry Sauce
Panko Crusted Chicken with Maple Cranberry Sauce will tantalize your tastebuds.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more for onions
- ½ sweet onion, diced small
- 1 cup dry red wine
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 4 teaspoons cornstarch
- 4 teaspoons water
Instructions
- In a shallow bowl combine the panko, salt and pepper.
- In a large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Dredge the chicken breasts in the panko, gently pressing the panko into the chicken. Sauté in hot oil, adjusting the heat if necessary. Cooking until done and juices run clear.
- While the chicken cooks, prepare the sauce. In a medium sauce pan over medium-high heat sauté the onions in a small amount of oil until translucent, about 7 - 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add the red wine, maple syrup and dried cranberries. Bring to a boil over high heat then reduce immediately to medium-high heat. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring.
- Combine cornstarch and water in a small bowl with a fork, until all the cornstarch is dissolved. Add to sauce while stirring, reducing heat to medium. Continue to cook 1 minute longer until sauce begins to thicken. Serve sauce over cooked chicken.
Welcome to #CranberryWeek, hosted by Caroline’s Cooking and A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures. We’ll be sharing cranberry-inspired creations all week long in celebration of national cranberry day. Search #CranberryWeek to keep up to date and follow the #CranberryWeek Pinterest board for more cranberry inspiration. But first, see all the other cranberry recipes being shared today:
- Braised Short Ribs with Hoisin-Cranberry Sauce and Asian Coleslaw from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Cranberry & Cornbread Stuffed Pork Chops from Books n’ Cooks
- Cranberry Borscht from Palatable Pastime
- Cranberry Glazed Pork Loin from Sew You Think You Can Cook
- Cranberry Lemon Curd Tart (no bake, GF) from Caroline’s Cooking
- Cranberry London Broil from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Cranberry Mustard from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Cranberry Smoothie from The Chef Next Door
- Cranberry Vanilla Bean Donuts from Hostess At Heart
- Grilled Brie with Cranberries from Full Belly Sisters
- Mixed Berry Sorbet from A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Orange Cranberry Turnovers by The Bitter Side of Sweet
- Panko Crusted Chicken with Maple Cranberry Sauce from Family Around The Table
- Sweet Heat Cranberry Spread from Cooking With Carlee
Stef says
I’m with you on the panko! It works well in so many recipes. Love the idea of cranberry and maple. I’ll have to try this. Thanks for the recipe!
Emily says
What a good idea to use dried cranberries instead of fresh cranberries that are almost never in season. This year I plan on buying a bunch of it and freezing it so that I can make all these great Cranberry recipes you linked too also.
Sara | Belly Rumbles says
Cranberries and chicken are such a classic flavour combination. Such a tasty meal with the crunchiness of the panko crumbed chicken and that scrummy cranberry sauce.
Andrea Metlika says
Looks marvelous! The maple cranberry sauce looks and sounds awesome.
Ben Myhre says
That sauce looks divine. I love a good chicken, but if you can make a great sauce to go along with it… nothing better!
Melissa Ruddy says
I have some dried cranberries I have been looking to use up after the holidays. I think this would work perfectly. Thanks for sharing
Lauren @ Sew You Think You Can Cook says
That sauce does sound incredible, perfect for any time of year in my opinion!
Wendy says
Thanks for another chicken recipe to add to my repertoire. Always in the market for chicken dishes.
Carlee says
This sounds like a perfect way to switch up our chicken routine! I hope you had a nice day!
Christie says
This looks delicious!! The sauce sounds so good! I’d put it on any protein.
Caroline says
I can see why cranberry maple sauce appealed – sounds tasty!
Cindy Kerschner says
I’m always up for new chicken recipes! Love the touch of wine!