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Maple Orange Glazed Chicken Quarters Recipe

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4.4 from 73 reviews

This Maple Orange Glazed Chicken Quarters recipe features tender, juicy chicken leg quarters marinated in a vibrant blend of fresh orange juice, pure maple syrup, soy sauce, and chili flakes. Baked to perfection over slices of fresh oranges and fragrant thyme, the chicken develops a sticky, caramelized glaze that’s bursting with sweet and tangy flavors, perfect for an impressive yet easy dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken

  • 2.2 pounds (about 1 kilogram) chicken leg quarters
  • 3 oranges, thinly sliced
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme

For the Marinade

  • Juice of 2 oranges
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ½ cup pure maple syrup
  • ⅓ cup soy sauce or tamari
  • 1 teaspoon red chili flakes

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Marinade: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the freshly squeezed orange juice, olive oil, pure maple syrup, soy sauce or tamari, and red chili flakes until the mixture is smooth and glossy, creating a harmonious blend of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors.
  2. Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken leg quarters to the marinade, turning each piece to coat thoroughly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to deeply penetrate and tenderize the meat.
  3. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 390°F (about 200°C). Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
  4. Assemble the Dish: Spread a layer of thinly sliced oranges evenly across the parchment-lined sheet pan. Arrange the marinated chicken leg quarters on top of the orange slices. Pour the remaining marinade evenly over the chicken. Scatter the remaining orange slices and fresh thyme sprigs around the pan to infuse additional aroma and flavor during baking.
  5. Bake Covered: Dampen a large piece of parchment paper and loosely cover the chicken to retain moisture. Bake for 1 hour at 390°F, allowing the chicken to cook gently and the flavors to meld, ensuring the meat becomes tender and juicy.
  6. Brown the Chicken: Remove the parchment cover carefully. Spoon some of the pan juices over the chicken to keep it moist. Return the pan to the oven and roast uncovered for an additional 15 minutes, or until the chicken skin is golden brown and caramelized around the edges, developing a sticky glaze.
  7. Serve: Transfer the roasted chicken quarters to a serving platter. Drizzle with the sticky, flavorful orange glaze from the pan. Garnish with roasted orange slices and fresh thyme sprigs to add a beautiful and aromatic finish, then serve warm for a delightful meal.

Notes

  • Marinating overnight results in the best flavor and tenderness.
  • If you prefer less heat, reduce or omit the red chili flakes.
  • Use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free option.
  • You can substitute chicken thighs or drumsticks if preferred.
  • For an extra crispy skin, finish under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.

Keywords: chicken quarters, maple orange glaze, baked chicken, easy dinner, citrus chicken, sweet and spicy chicken, oven baked chicken

Find it online: https://tastygenius.com/maple-orange-glazed-chicken-quarters-recipe/