Baked Orange Chicken Recipe

Baked Orange Chicken

Baked Orange Chicken is a delightful twist on a classic Asian favorite that you can easily make at home. This dish strikes a balance between sweet and savory, featuring tender chicken pieces coated in a luscious orange glaze. It’s not only delicious but also healthier compared to its fried counterpart. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or for entertaining guests, this dish will become a staple in your household.

Why You’ll Love This Casserole

• Easy Preparation: No frying is required! Just bake for an easy cleanup.
• Flavorful Sauce: The orange sauce infuses the chicken with a bright, citrusy punch.
• Customizable: Add in your favorite vegetables or adjust the sweetness to your preference.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed if possible)
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger, grated
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: Sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking dish by lightly greasing it with non-stick spray or a little oil.
2. Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Arrange them in the prepared baking dish in a single layer.
3. Make the Orange Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, honey, vegetable oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Stir until well combined.
4. Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with a couple of tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Add this mixture to the saucepan, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
5. Coat the Chicken: Pour the orange sauce over the chicken thighs, ensuring they are well coated.
6. Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is bubbly.
7. Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for a few minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, if desired, and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Baked Orange Chicken

• Chicken with Skin vs. Without: Using skin-on chicken will give you a slightly richer flavor but will increase the fat content.
• Fresh Ingredients: Freshly squeezed orange juice and zest yield the best flavor.
• Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best results to retain the chicken’s moisture.

Pairing Suggestions

Baked Orange Chicken can be served with a variety of sides to make a complete meal. Consider pairing it with:

• Steamed Rice: A classic pairing that helps to soak up the flavorful sauce.
• Vegetable Stir-Fry: Healthier and adds a variety of textures.
• Crispy Salad: A refreshing balance to the rich flavors of the chicken.

Baked Orange Chicken

Baked Orange Chicken is a delightful twist on a classic Asian favorite with a balance of sweet and savory flavors, featuring tender chicken thighs coated in a luscious orange glaze.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Asian, Chinese

Servings 4 servings

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed if possible) Fresh juice yields the best flavor.
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch For thickening the sauce.
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger, grated
• to taste Salt and pepper For seasoning.

Garnish

• as desired Sliced green onions Optional, for garnish.
• as desired Sesame seeds Optional, for garnish.

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking dish by lightly greasing it with non-stick spray or a little oil.
• Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Arrange them in the prepared baking dish in a single layer.

Sauce Preparation

• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, honey, vegetable oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Stir until well combined.
• In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with a couple of tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Add this mixture to the saucepan, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.

Cooking

• Pour the orange sauce over the chicken thighs, ensuring they are well coated.
• Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is bubbly.

Garnishing

• Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for a few minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, if desired, and enjoy!

Notes

Using skin-on chicken will provide a richer flavor but will increase the fat content. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best results.

Keyword Asian Cuisine, Baked Orange Chicken, Easy Chicken Recipes, Healthy Chicken Dinner, Orange Chicken

Conclusion

Baked Orange Chicken is more than just a meal; it’s an experience filled with vibrant flavors and aromas. With its easy preparation method and the ability to pair it with various sides, it’s a great dish for any occasion, whether it’s a casual family dinner or a festive gathering with friends.