Introduction

This Sweet and Savory Roasted Orange Chicken combines juicy, tender chicken thighs with a bright, citrusy glaze that’s both flavorful and easy to prepare. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, it offers a delicious balance of sweet honey and tangy orange with a hint of savory herbs.

The image shows three pieces of roasted chicken with a golden-brown, crispy skin, glistening with a sticky glaze. The chicken is placed close together in a white serving dish, with two thin slices of orange resting on the chicken, adding a bright pop of orange color. Small green herb leaves are scattered over the chicken, adding a fresh touch. The surface under the dish is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
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
Fresh thyme sprigs for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a roasting pan with olive oil.
Step 2: Pat the chicken thighs dry and season them evenly with salt, pepper, and paprika.
Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together the orange juice, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and olive oil to create the marinade.
Step 4: Arrange the orange slices on the bottom of the roasting pan and place the chicken thighs on top of the oranges.
Step 5: Pour the marinade evenly over the chicken and sprinkle with thyme leaves.
Step 6: Roast the chicken for 25 minutes, basting once halfway through with the pan juices to keep it moist and flavorful.
Step 7: Switch the oven to broil and broil the chicken for 3 to 5 minutes until the skin turns caramelized and glossy.
Step 8: Remove the chicken and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh orange slices and thyme sprigs.
Step 9: Spoon the pan sauce over the chicken before serving to add extra flavor and moisture.

Tips & Variations

Use blood oranges or cara cara oranges for a deeper color and slightly different flavor profile.
For extra crisp skin, pat chicken completely dry before seasoning and place skin-side up while roasting.
Add a splash of white wine or chicken broth to the marinade for additional complexity.
Substitute chicken thighs with boneless chicken breasts, but reduce roasting time accordingly to avoid drying out.

Storage

Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a low oven or microwave to preserve moisture. The pan sauce can be refrigerated separately and reheated to pour over the chicken.

How to Serve

The image shows three large pieces of roasted chicken with golden-brown crispy skin, glazed with a shiny, slightly sticky sauce that reflects light. Each piece is topped with small green herb sprigs, likely thyme, adding freshness to the rich colors. Two bright orange slices with a juicy, slightly textured surface are placed carefully on top and between the chicken pieces, adding a fresh contrast. The chicken rests on a simple white plate, and the background is a white marbled surface that highlights the warm colors of the food. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Yes, you can substitute boneless chicken breasts, but they may cook faster and can dry out. Reduce roasting time and monitor closely to keep them juicy.

Is it necessary to broil the chicken at the end?

Broiling adds a beautiful caramelized finish and crisp skin, but if you prefer, you can skip this step. Just make sure the chicken is fully cooked before serving.

Sweet and Savory Roasted Orange Chicken Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 123 reviews

This Sweet and Savory Roasted Orange Chicken combines tender, juicy chicken thighs with the bright, citrusy flavors of fresh oranges and a honey-soy glaze. Roasted to perfection and finished with a caramelized broil, this dish offers a delightful balance of sweet, tangy, and savory notes, making it a perfect weeknight dinner or special occasion meal.

Author: Isabella
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 and Seasonings

4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon paprika

Marinade and Sauce

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 for garnish
Extra orange slices for garnish

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a roasting pan with olive oil to prevent sticking and enhance browning.
Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then season all sides generously with salt, pepper, and paprika to add depth of flavor and color.
Mix 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 Oranges and Chicken: Layer the thinly sliced orange rounds on the bottom of the roasting pan to add moisture and infuse citrus flavor. Place the seasoned chicken thighs on top of the orange slices.
Apply Marinade and Herbs: Pour the marinade evenly over the chicken pieces and sprinkle the fresh or dried thyme leaves over everything for an herby aroma and flavor.
Roast Chicken: Roast the chicken in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, basting halfway through with the pan juices to keep the meat moist and flavorful.
Broil to Finish: Switch the oven to broil mode and broil the chicken for 3-5 minutes until the skin turns caramelized, glossy, and slightly crispy for added texture.
Rest the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. This step allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken tender.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh orange slices and thyme sprigs. Spoon the flavorful pan sauce over the chicken before serving to enhance every bite.

Notes

Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are preferred for juiciness and flavor but you can substitute with boneless if desired.
Ensure the chicken is patted dry before seasoning to get crispy skin.
Basting halfway through roasting helps keep the chicken moist and flavorful.
Use fresh thyme for best flavor but dried thyme works well as a substitute.
The broiling step is essential for caramelizing the skin and intensifying the sweet and savory glaze.
If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the honey to 1 tablespoon.

Keywords: Roasted orange chicken, sweet and savory chicken recipe, honey soy chicken, citrus chicken, easy roasted chicken thighs