Sweet and Savory Roasted Orange Chicken Recipe
This Sweet and Savory Roasted Orange Chicken recipe features tender, juicy bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs roasted to perfection with fresh orange slices, a flavorful marinade of orange juice, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and thyme. The dish is finished under the broiler for a caramelized, glossy finish that perfectly balances citrus sweetness with savory spices, making it an impressive and easy weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Marinade & Flavorings
- 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
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a roasting pan with olive oil to prevent sticking and promote even cooking.
- Season Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then season them evenly with salt, pepper, and paprika to enhance flavor and color.
- 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 sweet and savory marinade.
- Arrange Ingredients: Lay the thin orange slices in a single layer at the bottom of the roasting pan. Place the seasoned chicken thighs on top of the orange bed to infuse flavor.
- Marinate and Season: Pour the prepared marinade evenly over the chicken pieces. Sprinkle fresh or dried thyme leaves on top for herbal aroma.
- Roast Chicken: Place the pan in the oven and roast for 25 minutes. Halfway through cooking, baste the chicken with the pan juices to keep it moist and flavorful.
- Broil for Finish: After roasting, switch the oven to broil and cook the chicken for an additional 3-5 minutes, watching closely until the skin is caramelized and glossy, adding a delicious crispy texture.
- Rest Chicken: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute for moistness.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the chicken with fresh orange slices and thyme sprigs. Spoon the pan juices and sauce over the chicken before serving for added flavor.
Notes
- Bone-in, skin-on thighs help retain moisture and add flavor when roasting.
- Basting halfway through roasting prevents the chicken from drying out.
- Broiling at the end caramelizes the honey and soy marinade for extra depth and glossy skin.
- Use fresh oranges for the best citrus flavor and aroma.
- This dish pairs well with steamed rice or roasted vegetables to soak up the delicious sauce.
Keywords: roasted orange chicken, baked chicken thighs, sweet and savory chicken, citrus chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner