Description
This Baked Orange Chicken features tender chicken thighs marinated in a sweet and tangy orange sauce, making it a perfect weeknight dinner. Easy to prepare and deliciously served over rice or quinoa with steamed vegetables, it’s a flavorful dish that the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed is best)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- Cooked rice or quinoa (for serving)
- Steamed broccoli or your choice of vegetables (for serving)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the orange juice, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil. Whisk until the honey is fully dissolved.
- Taste the marinade and adjust the honey or soy sauce if needed for balance.
- Place the chicken thighs in a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish.
- Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated.
- Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Reserve the marinade.
- Place the chicken thighs on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- While the chicken is baking, pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Whisk the slurry into the boiling marinade.
- Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat.
- Once the chicken is done, let it rest for a few minutes.
- Drizzle the thickened sauce over the chicken, coating each piece generously.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds and sliced green onions on top.
- Serve the baked orange chicken over cooked rice or quinoa, with a side of steamed broccoli or your choice of vegetables.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, consider adding red pepper flakes to the marinade.
- This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated, making it great for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes