Name: Baked Orange Chicken
Ingredients: For this recipe, you will need around 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. These cuts are ideal for baking since they become juicy and tender while absorbing the flavors from the sauce.; You’ll require 2 large fresh oranges for juicing and zesting. The juice adds natural sweetness and acidity to the dish, while the zest enhances the overall citrus aroma.; Use 1/4 cup of low-sodium soy sauce. It provides depth and umami to the marinade without overwhelming the dish’s flavor profile.; Incorporate 1/4 cup of honey for sweetness. It balances out the acidity of the orange juice perfectly and helps create a beautiful glaze as it bakes.; You’ll need 3 cloves of minced garlic. Garlic adds aromatic depth and complements the sweetness of the honey and oranges beautifully.; Fresh ginger is essential; use about one tablespoon grated. Ginger adds warmth and spice, enhancing the flavor complexity of your baked orange chicken.; Use 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to thicken the sauce. This ingredient gives the sauce a glossy finish while helping it cling to the chicken pieces during baking.; Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures that your baked orange chicken cooks evenly and achieves a golden-brown color on top.; In a mixing bowl, whisk together fresh orange juice, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and cornstarch until smooth. Make sure there are no lumps so that your sauce coats the chicken evenly.; Place your chicken breasts in a large resealable bag or bowl. Pour half of the marinade over the chicken and seal or cover it tightly. Allow it to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes; longer if possible, as this deepens flavor.; After marinating, remove the chicken from the bag or bowl and place it into a greased baking dish in a single layer. Ensure space between pieces so they bake properly without steaming each other.; Take the reserved marinade from earlier and pour it over the arranged chicken in your baking dish. This will ensure that each piece is coated with delicious flavors as it bakes.; Bake uncovered in your preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Halfway through cooking, baste with juices from the bottom of the pan for extra moisture.; Once cooked through, remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or sliced green onions for added color and taste before serving alongside rice or vegetables.

Description

Baked Orange Chicken is a delightful dish that brings a burst of citrus flavor to your table. This easy-to-follow recipe combines tender chicken with a sweet and tangy orange sauce that everyone will love. Perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions, this dish pairs well with rice or steamed vegetables. In just a few simple steps, you can create a restaurant-quality meal right in your kitchen.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Breast

For this recipe, you will need around 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. These cuts are ideal for baking since they become juicy and tender while absorbing the flavors from the sauce.

Fresh Oranges

You’ll require 2 large fresh oranges for juicing and zesting. The juice adds natural sweetness and acidity to the dish, while the zest enhances the overall citrus aroma.

Soy Sauce

Use 1/4 cup of low-sodium soy sauce. It provides depth and umami to the marinade without overwhelming the dish’s flavor profile.

Honey

Incorporate 1/4 cup of honey for sweetness. It balances out the acidity of the orange juice perfectly and helps create a beautiful glaze as it bakes.

Garlic

You’ll need 3 cloves of minced garlic. Garlic adds aromatic depth and complements the sweetness of the honey and oranges beautifully.

Ginger

Fresh ginger is essential; use about one tablespoon grated. Ginger adds warmth and spice, enhancing the flavor complexity of your baked orange chicken.

Cornstarch

Use 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to thicken the sauce. This ingredient gives the sauce a glossy finish while helping it cling to the chicken pieces during baking.

Step By Step Recipe: Baked Orange Chicken

Preheat Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures that your baked orange chicken cooks evenly and achieves a golden-brown color on top.

Prepare Marinade

In a mixing bowl, whisk together fresh orange juice, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and cornstarch until smooth. Make sure there are no lumps so that your sauce coats the chicken evenly.

Marinate Chicken

Place your chicken breasts in a large resealable bag or bowl. Pour half of the marinade over the chicken and seal or cover it tightly. Allow it to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes; longer if possible, as this deepens flavor.

Arrange in Baking Dish

After marinating, remove the chicken from the bag or bowl and place it into a greased baking dish in a single layer. Ensure space between pieces so they bake properly without steaming each other.

Pour Remaining Marinade

Take the reserved marinade from earlier and pour it over the arranged chicken in your baking dish. This will ensure that each piece is coated with delicious flavors as it bakes.

Bake Chicken

Bake uncovered in your preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Halfway through cooking, baste with juices from the bottom of the pan for extra moisture.

Garnish and Serve

Once cooked through, remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or sliced green onions for added color and taste before serving alongside rice or vegetables.