Description
This Grilled Orange Honey Chicken Recipe features juicy chicken thighs or breasts marinated in a vibrant blend of fresh orange juice, honey, soy sauce, and aromatic garlic and ginger. Perfectly charred over the grill, it offers a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds for an Asian-inspired main course that’s quick to prepare and full of zest.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Marinade
- 1/3 cup orange juice (fresh or bottled)
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Garnish (optional)
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Make the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the orange juice, orange zest, honey, soy sauce, olive oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, black pepper, and salt until well combined to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs or breasts in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 8 hours to deepen the flavors.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat, allowing it to reach the ideal temperature for searing the chicken.
- Grill the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, discarding any excess liquid. Place the chicken on the hot grill and cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side, until the chicken is nicely charred and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and Serve: Transfer the grilled chicken to a plate and let it rest for 5 minutes to lock in the juices. Slice if desired, garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds, and serve with your choice of rice, quinoa, or grilled vegetables.
Notes
- For bone-in chicken pieces, increase grilling time to 8–10 minutes per side to ensure thorough cooking.
- This recipe can also be baked in an oven preheated to 400°F (200°C) for 25–30 minutes if a grill is not available.
- Use gluten-free soy sauce if you require the dish to be gluten-free.
- Marinating longer than 8 hours is not recommended as the citrus in the marinade can begin to break down the chicken texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken portion
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
