Ingredients
– 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
– 1 cup orange juice (preferably fresh)
– 1/4 cup soy sauce
– 1/4 cup honey or brown sugar
– 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
– 1 tablespoon cornstarch
– 1 tablespoon sesame oil
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– Optional: Sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
Preparing Baked Orange Chicken is simple and can be done in a few easy steps:
1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to preheat.
2. Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken thighs or breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Make the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together the orange juice, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and minced ginger.
4. Combine and Marinate: Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are well-coated. Allow it to marinate for at least 10 minutes for maximum flavor.
5. Prepare the Baking Dish: Lightly grease a baking dish with sesame oil and preheat it for a few minutes in the oven.
6. Arrange the Chicken: Discard excess marinade and place the marinated chicken pieces in the prepared baking dish in a single layer.
7. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
8. Thicken the Sauce: In a small saucepan, pour the remaining marinade and heat over medium flame. Dissolve the cornstarch in a tablespoon of water and stir it into the sauce. Cook until thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
9. Glaze the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the oven and pour the thickened sauce over it, tossing gently to coat.
10. Serve: Return the dish to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to caramelize the sauce slightly.
These steps will guide you in creating this incredible Baked Orange Chicken effortlessly!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Fat: 10g
- Protein: 28g