Orange Glazed Chicken – Chicken breasts coated in a sweet and savory orange glaze that is flavorful and delicious. An easy chicken dinner for the whole family.
Getting dinner on the table every night can be a challenge. You may not have time, nothing sounds appealing, or family members have different tastes. This Orange Glazed Chicken is simple to make and pleases a crowd.
Unlike the sickly-sweet orange chicken from takeout, this version highlights real orange flavor with balanced sweetness and warm spices for depth. The result is bright, tangy, and satisfying without being overwhelmingly sweet.
Orange Glazed Chicken Ingredients
Scroll to the recipe card below for the full printable version.
- Chicken breasts (boneless)
- Olive oil
- Salt & pepper
- Orange juice (fresh or bottled)
- Apple cider vinegar
- Brown sugar
- Honey
- Chili powder
- Paprika
- Cumin
Fresh-squeezed orange juice works great and lets you add orange slices to the skillet while baking for extra aroma and presentation.
Orange Glaze
The glaze is the star here. It’s tangy from orange juice, lightly sweet from brown sugar and honey, and savory from the spices. It takes some time to reduce and thicken, but you can make it ahead and refrigerate until you’re ready to finish the dish.
How To Make Orange Glazed Chicken
- Combine orange juice, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, honey, chili powder, paprika, and cumin in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer about 25 minutes until the mixture thickens into a glaze.
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Heat a large oven-safe skillet over high heat and add olive oil. When hot, sear chicken breasts 3–4 minutes on the first side until browned.
- Flip the chicken, pour the glaze over the pieces, then transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake about 20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF (74ºC).
What To Serve With Orange Glazed Chicken
- Jasmine rice or steamed rice
- Roasted or air-fried potato wedges
- A simple tossed green salad
- Roasted green beans or steamed vegetables
This orange chicken doesn’t rely on soy sauce or ginger. It presents a different, American-style take that’s full of flavor and uses everyday pantry ingredients.
What Chicken To Use
Boneless chicken breasts are recommended, but boneless thighs or drumsticks work too. Adjust oven time for bone-in pieces. Always cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165ºF (74ºC) for safety.
More Tasty Chicken Dinner Recipes
- Chicken Caesar Salad
- French Onion Chicken
- Sous Vide Chicken Breasts
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Margarita Grilled Chicken
- Chicken Satay Stir Fry
- Easy Chicken Fajitas
- Southwest Baked Chicken
Orange Glazed Chicken
Ingredients
Orange Glaze
- 3/4 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts (about 4–6 oz each)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine orange juice, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, honey, chili powder, paprika, and cumin. Bring to a boil, then simmer about 25 minutes until thickened into a glaze.
- Preheat oven to 400ºF (200ºC).
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
- Heat a large oven-safe skillet over high heat with the olive oil. Sear the chicken breasts 3–4 minutes on the first side until browned.
- Flip the chicken, pour the glaze over each piece, and move the skillet to the oven. Bake about 20 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165ºF (74ºC).
Nutrition (approx.)
Calories: 333 kcal | Carbs: 26 g | Protein: 38 g | Fat: 8 g | Sugar: 24 g
Nutrition information is an estimate and should be used as a guideline only.
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