Honeyed Citrus Chicken
Infused with the zesty brightness of fresh citrus and the natural sweetness of honey, Honeyed Citrus Chicken is a dish that transforms simple ingredients into a show-stopping main course. Juicy, bone-in chicken thighs are marinated in a tangy, garlicky blend of orange juice, lemon juice, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard, then roasted to golden perfection with a sticky-sweet glaze. The addition of orange and lemon zest elevates the flavor, while optional fresh rosemary adds an aromatic, herbaceous finish. Perfectly balanced with savory and sweet notes, this oven-baked chicken recipe is ideal for family dinners or entertaining guests. Serve it with roasted vegetables or fluffy rice for a wholesome, restaurant-quality meal that’s ready in just under an hour.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pieces chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
- 0.5 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 0.5 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a small bowl, combine the orange juice, lemon juice, honey, olive oil, minced garlic, soy sauce, dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, orange zest, and lemon zest. Whisk thoroughly to create the marinade.
Place the chicken thighs in a large resealable bag or a shallow baking dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated. Let the chicken marinate for at least 20 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for a deeper flavor.
Transfer the marinated chicken thighs to a baking dish, skin-side up, and pour any remaining marinade over the top.
Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, basting the tops with the cooking juices every 10-15 minutes to maintain moisture and enhance the glaze.
To achieve crispy skin, switch the oven to broil in the last 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary, if desired, and serve warm with your favorite side dishes like roasted vegetables or rice.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1797 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 122.5 g | 157% | |
| Saturated Fat | 30.8 g | 154% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 486 mg | 162% | |
| Sodium | 3551 mg | 154% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 72.7 g | 26% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.8 g | 6% | |
| Total Sugars | 62.5 g | ||
| Protein | 111.5 g | 223% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 116 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 7.2 mg | 40% | |
| Potassium | 1527 mg | 32% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
