1-Getting started with Cranberry Orange Chicken Bites: First, pat the chicken thighs dry and season both sides with 1 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt, ½ teaspoon paprika, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. This step ensures the flavors soak in nicely.

2-Next: heat 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken in a single layer for 5 minutes per side, until it hits 165°F inside. Remove the chicken and set it aside to stay warm while you make the sauce.

3-Then, lower the heat to medium-low and add 1 ½ cups cranberries, ⅔ cup orange juice, ¼ cup pure maple syrup, ¼ cup light brown sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons orange zest, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt to the skillet. Stir and gently press the cranberries as they cook for about 10 minutes until the sauce thickens into a glossy mix.

4-Detailed Steps and Tips: Once the sauce is ready, return the chicken to the skillet, coat it well, and heat for another minute. Finally, garnish with orange slices if you like, and serve warm. The whole process takes about 10 minutes to prep and 25 minutes to cook, totaling around 35 minutes. For variations, you can adapt it for plant-based diets by swapping chicken with tofu, as mentioned in the recipe tips.