Sweet and Savory Roasted Orange Chicken Recipe
This Sweet and Savory Roasted Orange Chicken recipe features bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs roasted to perfection with a vibrant orange and honey glaze. The dish combines fresh citrus, garlic, thyme, and a touch of soy sauce to create a beautifully caramelized, juicy chicken that’s both flavorful and visually stunning, perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
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)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh thyme sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a roasting pan with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry using paper towels. Season them generously with salt, pepper, and paprika for a flavorful crust.
- Make the marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together fresh orange juice, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and olive oil until well combined.
- 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.
- Marinate and add thyme: Pour the orange juice marinade evenly over the chicken pieces, then sprinkle fresh or dried thyme leaves on top.
- Roast the chicken: Place the roasting pan in the oven and roast for 25 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, baste the chicken with pan juices to keep it moist and flavorful.
- Broil for caramelization: After roasting, switch the oven to broil and broil the chicken for 3-5 minutes until the skin turns caramelized, glossy, and slightly crisp. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Rest and garnish: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Garnish with fresh orange slices and sprigs of thyme for color and aroma.
- Serve: Spoon the flavorful pan sauce over the chicken pieces before serving for an extra burst of citrusy, sweet-savory flavor.
Notes
- Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for best flavor and juiciness.
- If you prefer a less sweet dish, reduce the honey to 1 tablespoon.
- You can substitute fresh thyme with dried thyme, but use less as dried herbs are more concentrated.
- Broiling intensifies the caramelization—keep a close eye on the chicken during this step to prevent burning.
- Leftover chicken and sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: roasted chicken, orange chicken, sweet and savory chicken, citrus chicken, baked chicken thighs
