Grilled orange chicken is an Asian-inspired dish with chicken thighs, zesty marinade, and hot sauce. It’s a tasty family favorite meal that can be paired with quick and easy summer side dishes. Show
What is Grilled Orange Chicken?This Asian grilled chicken recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight meal made with a citrusy chicken marinade. The sauce is made from scratch with orange juice, soy sauce, and a touch of hot sauce. Allowing the chicken to rest in the marinade overnight makes the chicken juicy, tender, and incredibly tender. Chicken thighs work well because they absorb the flavors nicely and are perfect for grilling. IngredientsHere are the ingredients for this healthy homemade orange chicken.
Other kinds of chicken to useThis recipe uses chicken thighs, but you can also use chicken breasts, wings, or legs. You can also make this dish into kabobs by slicing chicken breasts into two-inch pieces and putting them on a skewer to grill. This makes the chicken easier to eat, especially for kids. How to Make Grilled Orange ChickenWhisk the orange juice, soy sauce, olive oil, garlic, paprika, and a couple of dashes of hot pepper sauce. Then add the chicken, cover, and marinate for about 4 hours up to overnight. The orange juice with the soy, plus fresh minced garlic penetrates into the chicken so well that no other seasoning is even necessary. I never add salt or pepper as I find the chicken to be seasoned just enough. To grill the chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade and grill until cooked through, about 12-15 minutes. Discard the marinade. Other ways to cook this chickenWhile it’s easy and tasty to cook orange chicken on the grill, there are other ways you can cook it to get different flavors and textures.
Recipe VariationsThis chicken recipe is delicious as it is, but it’s easily adaptable to fit your tastes and preferences. Here are some other options that you can use to make this grilled chicken. Add these ingredients to the marinade for a different flavor or texture:
To ServeOrange chicken is the perfect main dish to pair with roasted vegetables, rice, or coleslaw easily. Try it with these other side dishes as well:
To StoreIf you have any leftover chicken, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can freeze this chicken after it’s cooked, but it’s even better to prep it ahead of time and freeze the ingredients in separate bags. Then, when you’re ready to make it, you can thaw the bags and cook! Simply defrost frozen chicken in the fridge overnight until it’s thawed. FAQsIs orange sauce the same as duck sauce? Orange sauce and duck sauce are the same in Chinese cooking, but this dish uses an oil-based marinade. How long should I marinate orange chicken? It’s best to marinate chicken thighs overnight to give them plenty of time to soak up the flavors. Is orange chicken spicy? This grilled orange chicken recipe is not spicy at all. You can adjust the hot sauce to make it spicier. Use your favorite hot sauce or red chili flakes. More Grilled Chicken Recipes
Video: How to Make Grilled Orange Chickenclockclock iconcutlerycutlery iconflagflag iconfolderfolder iconinstagraminstagram iconpinterestpinterest iconfacebookfacebook iconprintprint iconsquaressquares iconheartheart iconheart solidheart solid icon Grilled Orange Chicken★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
Print Recipe Pin Recipe DescriptionThis grilled orange chicken is juicy and tender after being marinated in a simple yet flavorful orange marinade. It’s a family favorite that never disappoints. Does citrus tenderize chicken?The lemon juice not only provides flavor and acidity, but also helps tenderize the chicken. This works especially well for leaner cuts like chicken breast. The result is super flavorful, vibrant, juicy, and tender chicken.
How long should you marinate chicken breast?Give it 5-6 hours for the best flavour and texture – if you don't have that long, even 10 minutes of marinating will give flavour to the outside of chicken. Marinades without acid can be left longer but won't make them work any better, so stick to 24 hours as a maximum.
What is the best way to marinate a chicken?Instructions. In a bowl, stir together oil, lemon juice, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt, and pepper.. Pierce chicken breasts with a fork all over. ... . Let marinate for at least 30 minutes. ... . Preheat grill to medium heat. ... . Place chicken on the grill.. Should you marinate chicken breasts?It's best to marinate chicken breast for a minimum of 30 minutes up to 6 hours in the fridge. The longer it's marinated the more time it gets to tenderize and absorb the flavors however marinating it for too long can break down the proteins and make it tough so don't marinate for more than the recommended hours.
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