Sweet and Savory Roasted Orange Chicken Recipe
This Sweet and Savory Roasted Orange Chicken recipe combines juicy, bone-in chicken thighs with the bright, fresh flavor of oranges and a homemade honey-soy glaze. The chicken is roasted to perfection with a caramelized, glossy finish, making it an easy yet impressive dish that balances citrusy sweetness and savory depth.
- Author: Rami
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting and Broiling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Citrus and 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)
For Garnish
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a roasting pan with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure crispy skin. Season generously with salt, pepper, and paprika on all sides.
- Make Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together fresh orange juice, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and olive oil until well combined to create a vibrant, flavorful glaze.
- Arrange Oranges and Chicken: Lay the thinly sliced orange rounds evenly on the bottom of the roasting pan. Place the seasoned chicken thighs directly on top of the orange slices.
- Add Marinade and Herbs: Pour the prepared marinade evenly over the chicken pieces, then sprinkle fresh or dried thyme leaves over everything for aromatic flavor.
- Roast Chicken: Roast the chicken in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Halfway through cooking, baste the chicken with pan juices to enhance moisture and flavor.
- Broil for Caramelization: Switch your oven to the broil setting and broil the chicken for an additional 3 to 5 minutes until the skin is caramelized, glossy, and slightly crisp.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove chicken from oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Garnish with extra fresh orange slices and thyme sprigs for a fresh, attractive presentation.
- Serve: Spoon the flavorful pan sauce over the chicken just before serving for extra sweetness and moisture.
Notes
- For extra crispy skin, make sure to pat the chicken dry thoroughly before seasoning.
- If fresh thyme is not available, dried thyme works well but use less as it’s more concentrated.
- Use organic oranges for the best flavor and to avoid any unwanted pesticides on the peel if using the garnish slices.
- You can substitute chicken thighs with bone-in chicken breasts if preferred, adjusting cook time accordingly.
- Leftover chicken pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or roasted vegetables.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
Keywords: roasted orange chicken, sweet and savory chicken, citrus chicken recipe, honey soy chicken, easy roasted chicken