Sunshine Chicken
Brighten up your dinner table with Sunshine Chicken, a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines zesty citrus with a touch of sweetness for an irresistible meal! Perfectly tender boneless, skinless chicken thighs are marinated in a refreshing blend of freshly squeezed orange and lemon juices, honey, soy sauce, and aromatic spices like garlic and ginger. Grilled or pan-seared to golden perfection, the chicken is then brushed with a luscious, thickened citrus glaze for a mouthwatering finish. This quick and easy recipe is ready in under 45 minutes (excluding marinating time) and pairs beautifully with rice, quinoa, or steamed vegetables. Garnished with fresh cilantro and a hint of orange zest, Sunshine Chicken is the perfect choice for a light, summery meal that’s bursting with flavor. Keywords: Sunshine Chicken, citrus chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, sweet and savory chicken.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pieces Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup Orange juice (freshly squeezed)
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 3 tablespoons Honey
- 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Ground ginger
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons Chopped fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon Orange zest
Instructions
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the orange juice, lemon juice, honey, soy sauce, olive oil, minced garlic, ground ginger, salt, and black pepper.
Place the chicken thighs in a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag, and pour half of the prepared marinade over them. Reserve the other half for later use.
Marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or up to 4 hours, to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
After marinating, remove the chicken from the fridge and discard the used marinade. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium heat and lightly grease it with olive oil or cooking spray. Cook the chicken thighs for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
While the chicken is cooking, transfer the reserved half of the marinade to a small saucepan. Bring it to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat.
Mix the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Add this mixture to the simmering marinade and stir continuously until it thickens into a glossy sauce, about 2-3 minutes.
Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the skillet and let it rest for 5 minutes. Brush the thickened sauce over the chicken for an extra burst of flavor.
Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and orange zest, if desired, before serving.
Serve your Sunshine Chicken warm with your favorite sides, such as rice, quinoa, or steamed vegetables.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1420 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 72.6 g | 93% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.4 g | 82% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 500 mg | 167% | |
| Sodium | 1540 mg | 67% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 85.5 g | 31% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.3 g | 5% | |
| Total Sugars | 72.5 g | ||
| Protein | 106.7 g | 213% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.7 mcg | 4% | |
| Calcium | 96 mg | 7% | |
| Iron | 4.9 mg | 27% | |
| Potassium | 1528 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.
