Orange Soy Glazed Chicken

Irresistible oven roasted Orange Soy Glazed Chicken is crispy, sweet and savoury with a sticky glaze. Fast and easy to make, finger-licking good and fun to eat. Just take one bite and you’ll see what all the hype is about!

Since chicken is the #1 protein in our household I’m always trying to come up with new methods and flavour combinations for it. I experimented with seasoned bone-in skin-on chicken thighs by roasting them in the oven until browned, crispy and juicy on the inside. I made a homemade sweet and savoury orange soy glaze to drizzle over the tender crispy chicken. The result was super flavourful and sticky chicken that my family loved!

The glaze for this chicken recipe has only 6 simple ingredients: soy sauce, oranges, rice vinegar, green onions and cornstarch. While the chicken is roasting in the oven, the glaze cooks up in a saucepan in minutes and turns into a rich golden brown glossy texture. The glaze makes plenty for coating the chicken and extra to serve for dipping which makes the chicken hard to resist.

Ingredients Needed

• Bone-in skin-on chicken thighs – These are the ideal cut for this recipe as they guarantee crispy browned skin.
• Salt and pepper – To season the chicken with before it roasts.
• Soy sauce – Adds umami flavour and rich colour to the orange soy glaze, use regular or low sodium soy sauce
• Oranges – Juicy citrus orange juice and zest is the base of the glaze and orange wedges garnish the chicken.
• Honey – Sweetens the glaze and is what helps it become sticky.
• Rice vinegar – Gives the glaze some acidity to balance out with the sweetness.
• Corn Starch – Thickens the glaze and also contributes to the glossy texture.
• Green onions – Finely sliced they give the glaze a great flavour and more are sliced for garnishing the chicken.
• Sesame seeds – Add a little flavour and garnish to the chicken with some contrasting colour.

How to make Orange Soy Glazed Chicken

Season chicken all over with salt and pepper and arrange skin side up on a parchment paper or foil lined baking sheet. Pop into a preheated oven and roast 35 – 40 minutes until golden crisp and cooked through. Turn on broiler for last 2 minutes of cooking time for optimum crispness.

While the chicken roasts make the orange soy glaze. In a small saucepan whisk the soy sauce, orange zest and juice, honey, rice vinegar and green onions.

Cook the glaze over medium heat while whisking constantly until thickened and glossy, about 4 to 5 minutes. If the sauce gets too thick, thin it down with 1 tablespoon of water. Keep it warm.

The chicken comes out of the oven all roasted and crispy ready for glazing.

To glaze and garnish chicken, transfer it to a clean parchment paper or a platter and spoon half of the glaze overtop allowing some to drip down the sides. Garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds and orange wedges and serve with remaining glaze for dipping.

Variations

• Bone-in skin-on chicken thighs are recommended because they are tender, flavourful and crisp up when roasted. Chicken drumsticks are also perfect for this recipe and the roasting time would be the same. The recipe can also be made with a combination of both of those.

• Boneless chicken breasts or boneless chicken thighs can be used. In this case brush the pieces lightly with some of the glaze before roasting to encourage caramelization. Roasting time for boneless breasts should be reduced to 18 – 25 minutes and for boneless thighs to 30 – 35 minutes. The chicken breasts or thighs won’t crisp up but will be moist and tender and taste great with the orange soy glaze!

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of oranges should I use?

Ideally navel oranges work best for this recipe as they yield the best flavour and have lots of zest and juice.

What do I serve with Orange Soy Glazed Chicken?

This chicken is delicious served with extra glaze and a side of rice and broccoli for a complete family-friendly meal. Or get creative and serve it with your choice of other veggies, a salad, quinoa or noodles.

Can I make Orange Soy Glazed Chicken ahead?

Make the components of this chicken recipe ahead of time but I suggest you wait to roast the chicken until needed. To make ahead, season the chicken, arrange it on the baking sheet and keep it refrigerated. Cook the glaze in advance, leave it in the saucepan and keep it covered. When ready to roast the chicken pop the baking sheet in the oven and warm up the glaze. When the chicken comes out of the oven simply glaze it and serve as directed.

How do I store leftover Orange Soy Glazed Chicken?

You can store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3 – 4 days. To reheat the leftovers simply pop them in the microwave. I’ve never tried freezing Orange Soy Glazed Chicken so I’m not sure I can recommend that.

Tips For Recipe Success

• For best results broil the chicken thighs at the end of the cooking time as directed to crisp them up before glazing.
• The green onions for the glaze should be minced really fine to ensure they cook and disintegrate in the glaze as it cooks.
• The glaze needs to be thick and glossy so be sure and cook it long enough to get to that point.

This orange soy glazed chicken is definitely going to be a top-contender in your meal planning routine!

Recipe