Zesty Orange Spice Chicken Recipe for Flavor Lovers

Sizzling aromas of warmth and comfort waft through the kitchen with this delectable orange spice chicken recipe that promises a burst of tantalizing flavors.

Tender chicken pieces dance with a vibrant citrus marinade, creating a harmony of sweet and savory notes.

The blend of zesty orange and aromatic spices infuses each bite with incredible depth and richness.

Succulent meat absorbs the complex marinade, ensuring every morsel is packed with incredible taste.

Fresh ingredients combine to craft a dish that feels both sophisticated and comforting.

Spices mingle with citrusy brightness, promising a meal that will transform an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary experience.

You’ll want to serve this masterpiece that brings excitement to your dining table.

Serving Style Tips for Orange Chicken

• Festive Family Feast: Serve this zesty chicken alongside fluffy white rice or quinoa to soak up those delicious orange-spiced juices.
• Bright Brunch Companion: Pair the dish with a light mixed green salad and citrus vinaigrette for a refreshing weekend meal that feels like sunshine on a plate.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Plating: Arrange chicken on a large wooden board with roasted vegetables like bell peppers and zucchini, creating a rustic and inviting presentation that showcases the vibrant orange slices.
• Healthy Side Harmony: Add a quick couscous or herb-roasted potatoes to complement the chicken's robust flavor profile, making it a complete and satisfying meal that balances protein and complex carbohydrates.

Storage for Orange Spice Chicken

• Advance Prep Power: Mix spice blend and chop garlic up to 2 days before cooking, storing separately in sealed containers to streamline meal preparation and reduce kitchen time.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover chicken in airtight containers for 3-4 days, keeping orange slices separate to maintain optimal texture and prevent soggy meat.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap individual portions in freezer-safe wrap, lasting up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat gently at 325 degrees F to maintain juiciness.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Use microwave with 30-second intervals or oven at low temperature, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying out and restore original moisture and flavor profile.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 5

Orange Spice Chicken Ingredients List

• Sweet Paprika: Adds warm, sweet pepper flavor with mild smokiness, choose vibrant red color for freshest taste.
• Dried Thyme: Earthy herb that provides subtle woodsy undertones, select bright green leaves for maximum aroma.
• Black Pepper: Classic spice creating gentle heat and depth, pick whole peppercorns and grind fresh for intense flavor.
• Cayenne Pepper: Brings fiery kick and intense warmth, adjust quantity based on personal spice tolerance.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
• Dried Dill Weed: Delicate herb offering tangy brightness, select crisp green leaves without discoloration.
• Dried Oregano: Mediterranean herb with robust flavor, choose fragrant leaves for maximum impact.
• Onion Powder: Provides concentrated savory sweetness, select pure powder without additives.
• Dried Parsley: Mild herb adding fresh green notes, pick bright green flakes for visual appeal.

• Butter: Creates rich, smooth texture and golden surface, use unsalted for precise flavor control.
• Garlic: Delivers intense aromatic punch, choose firm cloves without sprouting.

• Navel Orange: Provides bright citrus essence and natural sweetness, select firm fruit with smooth skin.
• Scallion: Adds fresh, mild onion crispness, pick bright green stalks with white firm bases.

Cooking Tools for Making Orange Spice Chicken

• Baking Dish (9×13-inch): Essential for roasting chicken evenly and catching delicious juices.
• Meat Thermometer: Critical tool to ensure chicken reaches safe internal temperature between 165-174 degrees F.
• Small Bowl: Perfect for mixing spices and creating flavor-packed seasoning blend.
• Brush: Helps evenly coat chicken with melted butter for golden, crispy skin.
• Cutting Board: Used for slicing oranges and chopping scallions.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for precise orange slicing and scallion chopping.
• Measuring Spoons: Ensures accurate spice measurements for balanced flavor.

How to Cook Orange Spice Chicken Easily

• Oven Preparation Preheat the kitchen oven to a toasty 400 degrees, creating the perfect warm environment for our flavor-packed chicken adventure.
• Chicken Placement Gently nestle chicken pieces into a lightly greased baking dish, giving each piece some personal space to soak up the upcoming flavors.
• Spice Symphony Craft a magical blend of aromatic spices, letting their fragrant notes dance together in anticipation of transforming ordinary chicken into something extraordinary.
• Flavor Layering Lovingly brush chicken with melted butter, then shower it with a generous sprinkle of your spice mixture. Scatter minced garlic like edible confetti and crown the dish with bright, juicy orange slices.
• Cooking Magic Slide the baking dish into the waiting oven and let the magic happen. After 25-35 minutes, confirm the chicken's readiness by checking it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165-174 degrees.
• Final Touches Allow the chicken a brief moment to rest and collect its thoughts. Drizzle the pan juices over the top, scatter some fresh green scallions, and serve this tantalizing creation that promises to dance on taste buds.

Tips to Add Zest to Orange Spice Chicken

• Mix dried herbs like thyme or rosemary into the spice blend for an extra aromatic touch that elevates the chicken's taste profile.
• Replace oranges with tangerines or blood oranges for a different sweet-tangy dimension that keeps the dish exciting and seasonal.
• Let chicken soak in orange juice and spices for 2-3 hours before cooking to infuse deeper flavors and ensure incredibly tender meat that falls apart beautifully.
• Adjust heat by adding red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper – start with a pinch and increase gradually for those who enjoy a warming kick without overwhelming the delicate citrus notes.
• Shred remaining chicken and toss into salads, stuff into wraps, or mix with rice for quick next-day meals that retain the original recipe's vibrant orange and spice character.

Zesty Orange Spice Chicken Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Succulent orange spice chicken combines zesty citrus with warming spices for a memorable meal. Crisp herbs and tender meat create a delightful dining experience you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 large navel orange (sliced into 0.33-inch thick slices)
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) butter (melted)
• 1 scallion snipped or chopped
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp sweet paprika
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp dried parsley
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp dried dill weed
• 1/8 tsp ground cayenne pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation Setup: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish, arranging chicken pieces in a single layer without overlapping.
2. Spice Blend Creation: Combine ground spices, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl, thoroughly mixing to develop a robust seasoning profile.
3. Initial Seasoning: Brush chicken with melted butter, generously apply about 80% of the spice mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage across all pieces.
4. Flavor Layering: Distribute minced garlic uniformly over the seasoned chicken, then artfully arrange fresh orange slices atop each piece. Dust the remaining spice blend over the oranges to intensify the aromatic experience.
5. Roasting and Finishing: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-35 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). After removing from oven, allow a 5-minute resting period to ensure juices redistribute. Drizzle pan drippings over the chicken and garnish with thinly sliced green onions, presenting the roasted orange slices as a complementary accompaniment.

Notes

• Optimize Spice Coating: Apply spice blend generously but unevenly for complex flavor layers, ensuring some parts of chicken have more intense seasoning.
• Temperature Precision Matters: Use a reliable meat thermometer to guarantee chicken reaches exact 165°F, preventing dryness or potential foodborne illness.
• Resting Period is Crucial: Allow chicken to rest exactly 5 minutes after cooking, which helps retain moisture and enables natural juice redistribution throughout the meat.
• Orange Slice Strategy: Roasted orange slices aren’t just decoration – they infuse additional citrus essence and can be eaten alongside the chicken for enhanced taste experience.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 70mg