Background: Previous studies have suggested an association between chronotype and social functioning, yet the precise mechanism remains underexplored. This study endeavors to address this gap by examining both the distinct mediating roles of sleep quality and anxiety, as well as their combined chain mediating role, in the relationship between chronotype and social functioning among individuals with schizophrenia. Methods: 785 Chinese schizophrenic patients aged 18-60 years were selected to complete the Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Interview (PSQI), and Personal Social Performance Scale (PSP) to evaluate chronotype, sleep quality, anxiety, and social functioning, respectively. The relationship between these variables was tested using Hayes’ SPSS process macros. Results: Significant correlations (p < 0.01) were found among chronotype, sleep quality, anxiety, and social functioning in schizophrenic patients. Chronotype exhibited both a direct positive effect on social functioning (effect = 0.8931) and indirect effects through two pathways: firstly, independently mediated by anxiety (effect = 0.2167; SE = 0.0786; 95% CI: LL = 0.0849, UL = 0.3864); and secondly, through a sequential mediation involving both sleep quality and anxiety (effect = 0.0454; SE = 0.0167; 95% CI: LL = 0.0168, UL = 0.0825).Conclusions: Our study offers empirical evidence of the association between chronotype and social functioning in schizophrenia. Findings indicate that this relationship is mediated by both sleep quality and anxiety. These results contribute a novel perspective to the enhancement of social functioning recovery in schizophrenia.