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Sweet and Savory Roasted Orange Chicken Recipe

Sweet and Savory Roasted Orange Chicken Recipe

5 from 5 reviews

This Sweet and Savory Roasted Orange Chicken recipe combines tangy citrus flavors with a rich honey and soy glaze, resulting in tender, caramelized chicken with vibrant orange slices. Perfectly roasted chicken thighs are infused with garlic and thyme, creating a delightful balance of sweet and savory that is easy to prepare and sure to impress.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon paprika

Marinade

  • 2 large navel oranges, thinly sliced (plus extra for garnish)
  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)

Garnish

  • Fresh thyme sprigs
  • Extra orange slices

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a roasting pan with olive oil to prevent the chicken from sticking.
  2. Season Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then season them evenly with salt, pepper, and paprika for a flavorful base.
  3. Prepare Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together fresh orange juice, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and olive oil until well combined to create a tangy and sweet marinade.
  4. Arrange Oranges and Chicken: Place the thinly sliced orange rounds evenly on the bottom of the roasting pan. Lay the seasoned chicken thighs on top of the orange slices.
  5. Marinate Chicken: Pour the prepared marinade evenly over the chicken pieces, then sprinkle the fresh or dried thyme leaves over everything for aromatic flavor.
  6. Roast Chicken: Roast in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Halfway through cooking, baste the chicken with the pan juices to keep it moist and flavorful.
  7. Broil for Caramelization: Switch the oven to broil, and broil the chicken for 3 to 5 minutes, watching closely until it becomes caramelized and glossy on top.
  8. Rest the Chicken: Remove the roasted chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring tender meat.
  9. Garnish and Serve: Garnish the chicken with fresh orange slices and thyme sprigs. Spoon the flavorful pan sauce over the chicken pieces before serving for added taste.

Notes

  • You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts, but adjust cooking time accordingly since breasts cook faster.
  • For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
  • If you prefer a more intense orange flavor, use additional fresh orange zest in the marinade.
  • Be cautious when broiling; watch closely to avoid burning the honey glaze.
  • Leftover chicken can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.

Nutrition

Keywords: Roasted Orange Chicken, Sweet and Savory Chicken, Orange Glazed Chicken, Chicken Thighs Recipe, Easy Dinner Recipe