Easy Orange Spice Chicken Recipe: A Tangy Twist for Dinner

Orange spice chicken elevates ordinary poultry into a culinary adventure bursting with vibrant flavors and aromatic depth.

Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine often celebrates this delightful combination of citrusy brightness and warming spices.

Complex flavor profiles emerge when tangy orange meets robust, earthy seasonings that dance across your palate.

Carefully selected spices complement the natural sweetness of fresh citrus, creating a harmonious blend that elevates simple proteins.

Bold marinades penetrate tender meat, infusing each bite with layers of exciting taste sensations.

Home cooks love experimenting with these dynamic ingredient combinations that surprise and delight dinner guests.

Your next meal will spark conversation and enthusiasm.

Why Orange Spice Chicken Is a Burst of Sweet and Savory

• Burst of Citrusy Warmth: Orange slices infuse the chicken with bright, tangy flavor that dances across your taste buds, creating a sunshine-like sensation in every bite.
• Spice Symphony: The carefully blended spice mixture transforms ordinary chicken into a gourmet experience, delivering a complex layer of warmth and depth that tingles your palate.
• Quick and Healthy Protein Powerhouse: This recipe offers a lean protein-packed meal that takes just 35 minutes to prepare, perfect for busy weeknight dinners or quick meal prep with minimal effort and maximum nutrition.
• Customizable Kitchen Magic: Easily adaptable cooking method allows home chefs to adjust spices and experiment with different orange varieties, making it a versatile dish that welcomes personal creativity.

Ingredients That Bring the Zest and Warmth Together

• Chicken: Lean protein that forms the base of the dish, preferably bone-in chicken pieces for more flavor and moisture.
• Oranges: Fresh, ripe citrus that adds bright, tangy flavor and helps keep the chicken juicy during cooking.
• Salt, Pepper: Classic seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste of the dish.
• Garlic: Minced fresh garlic providing a robust, aromatic flavor foundation for the chicken.
• Spice Mix: Custom blend that adds depth and warmth to the chicken, creating a complex flavor profile.
• Butter: Melted butter helps create a golden, crispy exterior and adds richness to the chicken.
• Scallions: Fresh green onions used as a garnish to add a light, fresh finish to the dish.

How to Cook Juicy Chicken with Bold Citrus Flavor

Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish

Warm the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange chicken pieces without overlapping.

Step 2: Create Spice Blend

In a small bowl, mix together your spice combination. Add salt and pepper to enhance the flavor profile.

Step 3: Prepare Chicken Coating

• Melted butter
• Prepared spice mixture

Brush chicken pieces with melted butter. Sprinkle most of the spice blend over the chicken, reserving a small amount for later use.

Step 4: Add Aromatic Layers

Spread minced garlic evenly across the chicken. Layer orange slices on top. Dust with remaining spice mixture.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Cook for 25 to 35 minutes, depending on chicken thickness. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F to 174°F.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven. Drizzle pan juices over the chicken. Sprinkle chopped scallions on top. Keep the roasted orange slices as a delicious accompaniment.

Tips for Balanced Spices and Searing Success

• Master Chicken Spacing: Arrange chicken pieces without touching to ensure even cooking and crispy edges.
• Spice Blend Technique: Mix spices thoroughly in a small bowl for balanced, consistent flavor distribution across the chicken.
• Butter Brushing Trick: Use a pastry brush to evenly coat chicken with melted butter, creating a golden, succulent surface.
• Orange Layer Strategy: Arrange orange slices carefully to infuse moisture and citrus essence into the meat while cooking.
• Temperature Precision: Always use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches safe internal temperature between 165-174 degrees F, preventing dryness and ensuring perfect doneness.

Smart Ways to Keep Orange Chicken Fresh and Moist

• Refrigerator Storage: Carefully transfer leftover chicken into an airtight container and seal tightly. Store within two hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth. Refrigerated chicken will stay delicious for 3-4 days when properly contained.
• Reheating Method: Gently warm chicken in the oven to preserve its original moisture and texture. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, place chicken in a baking dish, and cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying. Warm for 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Drizzle reserved cooking juices over the chicken before serving to enhance flavor and prevent potential dryness.
• Freezing Option: Wrap individual chicken portions in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag.

What to Serve Alongside This Flavor-Packed Chicken Dish

• Savor Citrus-Infused Beverage Pairing: A crisp, chilled Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Grigio perfectly complements the orange and spice notes, cutting through the richness of the buttered chicken while enhancing its aromatic profile.
• Elevate with Zesty Side Companion: Prepare a fresh quinoa salad with herbs like mint and parsley, adding a bright, tangy element that matches the orange spice chicken's vibrant flavor combinations.
• Create Harmonizing Starch Accompaniment: Roasted sweet potato wedges seasoned with similar spices work wonderfully, providing a complementary earthy sweetness that balances the chicken's citrusy and spicy undertones.
• Refresh with Herbal Contrast: A light cucumber and dill salad adds a cool, crisp texture that contrasts the warm, spiced chicken, creating a balanced and refreshing dining experience.

Flavor Variations to Play with the Orange Spice Base

• Citrus Herb Remix: Replace orange slices with lemon wedges and add fresh rosemary and thyme to elevate the chicken's aromatic profile, creating a brighter Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Spicy Tropical Infusion: Swap orange with pineapple slices and introduce cayenne pepper and ground ginger to the spice blend, adding a sweet-hot Caribbean kick to the chicken.
• Mediterranean Olive Fusion: Incorporate chopped kalamata olives and replace butter with olive oil, then sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the chicken after baking for a Greek-style transformation that brings tangy richness to the dish.
• Smoky Paprika Version: Mix smoked paprika into the spice blend, use blood oranges instead of regular oranges, and add a touch of cumin to give the chicken a deeper, more complex southwestern flavor profile.

Orange Spice Chicken Recipe

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4.9 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Moroccan Orange Spice Chicken delivers a delightful fusion of zesty citrus and warm spices, creating a mouthwatering Mediterranean-inspired dish. Succulent chicken pieces marinated in tangy orange juice, aromatic cumin, and cinnamon will transport you to the vibrant markets of Marrakech.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 4 boneless chicken breasts

Spices and Herbs:

• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon dried dill weed
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

Complementary Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon butter (melted)
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 large navel orange (sliced into ⅓-inch thick slices)
• 1 scallion snipped or chopped

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 centimeters) baking dish and arrange chicken pieces without overlapping.
2. Mix all ground spices in a small mixing bowl, incorporating salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor profile.
3. Use a pastry brush to evenly coat chicken surfaces with melted butter, then liberally sprinkle approximately 80% of the spice blend across the pieces, reserving a small portion for later use.
4. Distribute finely chopped garlic uniformly over the seasoned chicken, then carefully layer fresh orange slices across the top of each piece. Dust the remaining spice mixture over the oranges.
5. Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and roast for 25 to 35 minutes, depending on chicken thickness. Verify doneness by checking the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) using a meat thermometer.
6. Remove from oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Before serving, drizzle pan drippings over the chicken and garnish with thinly sliced green onions. Include the roasted orange slices as an edible and flavorful accompaniment.

Notes

• Preparation involves a precise dance of spices, butter, and citrusy orange slices that transform ordinary chicken into a vibrant, aromatic masterpiece.
• Carefully selecting fresh orange slices ensures a bright, zesty layer of flavor that permeates every succulent bite of the chicken.
• Minced garlic adds a punchy depth, creating a harmonious blend with the warm, complex spice mixture that coats each piece.
• Checking the internal temperature is crucial for perfectly cooked chicken, guaranteeing juicy meat that’s safe and delightfully tender.
• Resting the dish allows juices to redistribute, intensifying the overall flavor and ensuring each serving is incredibly moist and delectable.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 260 kcal
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 36g
• Cholesterol: 90mg