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Sweet and Savory Roasted Orange Chicken

Sweet and Savory Roasted Orange Chicken

This recipe uses everyday ingredients that are easy to find, but together they create unforgettable flavor. You can use whole chicken legs (as in the photo), chicken thighs, or even drumsticks.
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Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Ingredients
  • Chicken & Marinade
  • 4 chicken legs or thighs bone-in, skin-on for best results
  • ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme or fresh thyme leaves
  • Optional: a splash of balsamic vinegar for added richness
  • Pan Garnish & Roasting
  • 1 fresh orange sliced into rounds
  • 2 tablespoons butter softened
  • A few sprigs of rosemary or thyme
  • These simple vibrant ingredients give the chicken a citrus-forward glaze with just the right touch of sweetness and depth.

Notes

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
You won’t need anything fancy, just basics:
Large mixing bowl
Whisk
Baking dish or cast-iron skillet
Oven
Basting brush (optional but recommended)
Microplane or grater for zest
Because this recipe is designed to be straightforward, the setup is quick and cleanup is even faster.