Impress the Empress Chicken
Elevate your dinner table with 'Impress the Empress Chicken,' a show-stopping dish perfect for weeknights or special occasions. Featuring juicy, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, this recipe combines the crispiness of a golden sear with a luscious orange-ginger glaze that’s equal parts tangy, savory, and sweet. The glaze, made with soy sauce, honey, fresh garlic, grated ginger, and a pop of vibrant orange zest, caramelizes beautifully under the broiler for an irresistible finish. With simple techniques like oven roasting and a quick stovetop glaze, this recipe strikes the perfect balance between ease and elegance. Garnished with green onions and toasted sesame seeds, it’s a dish destined to dazzle. Serve it over steamed rice or alongside roasted vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal. Perfect for lovers of bold flavors and Asian-inspired cuisine!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 pieces chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 0.25 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 0.25 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon water
- 2 stalks green onions, sliced (optional for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (optional for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and season both sides with salt and black pepper.
Heat a large oven-safe skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and place the chicken thighs skin-side down. Sear for 4-5 minutes without moving them to achieve a golden, crispy skin.
Flip the chicken thighs and sear the other side for 3 minutes. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 20 minutes until cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C).
While the chicken is baking, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the soy sauce, honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, orange zest, and orange juice. Stir well and simmer for 5 minutes to let the flavors meld.
In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water until smooth. Add this slurry to the saucepan and stir continuously until the glaze thickens slightly, about 1-2 minutes. Remove the glaze from heat.
Once the chicken is done baking, carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Brush the thickened glaze generously over each chicken thigh, ensuring even coverage.
Return the skillet to the oven and broil on high for 2-3 minutes to caramelize the glaze slightly. Keep a close eye to prevent burning.
Remove the chicken from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds, if desired.
Serve warm with steamed rice or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
456 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 29.0 g | 37% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.0 g | 35% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 127 mg | 42% | |
| Sodium | 1175 mg | 51% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 18.2 g | 7% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.8 g | 3% | |
| Total Sugars | 14.5 g | ||
| Protein | 32.3 g | 65% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 54 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 2.1 mg | 11% | |
| Potassium | 466 mg | 10% | |
*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.
