Description
This Roasted Orange Chicken recipe is golden, juicy, and full of bright citrus flavor. Fresh orange juice and zest combine with soy sauce, ginger, and a touch of brown sugar to create a sticky-sweet glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. It’s an easy, impressive meal perfect for weeknights, holidays, or cozy Sunday dinners.
Ingredients
1 whole chicken (3–4 lbs), patted dry
2–3 medium oranges, juiced and zested
2–3 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
3–4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tbsp olive oil or neutral oil
¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste
For Garnish (Optional):
Fresh orange slices
Chopped fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro, or thyme)
Honey drizzle (for extra shine)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a roasting pan or skillet with foil for easy cleanup.
Prepare the glaze: In a bowl, whisk together orange juice, zest, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, rice vinegar, and oil.
Marinate (optional): Brush glaze over the chicken and marinate for 30–60 minutes for deeper flavor.
Roast: Place chicken breast-side up in the pan. Pour half the glaze over it. Roast for 60–75 minutes, basting every 20 minutes with the remaining glaze.
Check doneness: Internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Broil briefly at the end if you want extra crisp skin.
Rest and serve: Let rest for 10–15 minutes before carving. Spoon over pan juices and garnish with orange slices and herbs.
Notes
Swap in blood oranges, mandarins, or lemons for a flavor twist.
For a quicker meal, use bone-in thighs — they cook in 35–40 minutes.
To store: refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Turn leftover pan juices into sauce by simmering for 5 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American / Citrus-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (1/6 chicken)
- Calories: ~390 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 640 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
Keywords: roasted orange chicken, glazed chicken, citrus chicken recipe, weeknight roast chicken, dinner party chicken
