Honey Orange Glazed Chicken Thighs

Treat your family to a delicious meal with this easy-to-make honey orange glazed chicken thighs recipe. Using only four simple ingredients, and taking less than an hour from start to finish, you can enjoy the sweet and tart flavors of honey and orange together in one dish.

Follow my cooking instructions for a succulent dish that’s sure to be the star of any dinner table.

Culinary History

Honey orange glazed chicken has been around for centuries, likely originating in Asia. This delectable dish features tender chicken thighs marinated and slow cooked with a sweet and tangy glaze made of honey and orange juice. It’s a classic that has been enjoyed in many cultures throughout the world.

The earliest recorded version of this dish dates back to the 4th century China, where it was popularized by the Tang Dynasty. Through trade routes, it eventually spread to Japan, Korea, India, and other countries in Southeast Asia who adopted their own unique variations on the recipe over time.

Today, honey orange glazed chicken is still served as an appetizer or main course at restaurants worldwide and remains a favorite among many home cooks!

Ingredients (4 serves)

You’ll need 4 chicken thighs, along with some oranges and honey for this delicious glazed dish. To create a wonderful flavor, here is what you will need:

• 2 tablespoons of honey
• 1 orange (juice and zest)
• 2 tablespoons of butter

These ingredients will help to create a tangy glaze that will perfectly compliment the savory chicken thighs.

The orange juice and zest provide the tartness while the honey provides just enough sweetness to balance out the flavors. Meanwhile, the butter helps to keep all of these components together in harmony as it melts into the mixture.

With just these few simple ingredients you can create a truly memorable meal that everyone at your table will love!

Cooking Instructions

To make this delicious dish, start by preheating your oven to 375°F.

Place the chicken thighs in a baking dish and season with salt and pepper.

Combine honey, orange juice, garlic powder, ginger powder, and olive oil in a bowl to form the glaze.

Pour the glaze over the chicken thighs and spread evenly with a spoon.

Bake for 35 minutes until cooked through, basting every 10 minutes with additional glaze.

Once done, remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

Expert Tips & Nutrition

Now that we’ve discussed how to make honey orange glazed chicken thighs, let’s look at some expert tips and nutrition information.

We’ll cover calorie counts, cooking techniques, and nutrient benefits so you can make sure you’re getting the most out of your meal.

Whether you’re just watching your calories or trying to get more nutritional value out of each dish, this discussion will help you create healthier meals with delicious flavor.

Calorie Counts

The calorie count for honey orange glazed chicken thighs varies depending on portion size. Generally, a single serving of this dish contains about 250 calories.

However, when served with sides and other accompaniments the caloric amount increases dramatically. For example, adding a side of mashed potatoes and gravy can add an additional 200 calories per portion.

Additionally, if you opt for extra-large portions or double servings, your calorie intake could go up to 600 or more. Therefore, it’s important to consider all the ingredients and their nutritional information when preparing this recipe for yourself or others.

Enjoying this delicious dish in moderation is key to maintaining a balanced diet and good health.

Cooking Techniques

Cooking honey orange glazed chicken thighs requires certain techniques to ensure the perfect balance of flavors and textures.

First, preheat your oven to 375°F and prepare a baking sheet with tin foil.

Then, season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper, lay them on the sheet, and bake for 25 minutes.

Once done baking, remove from the oven and brush generously with a mixture of honey, orange juice, soy sauce, garlic powder, ginger powder, sesame oil, and olive oil.

Bake for an additional 5-7 minutes or until golden brown.

Finally, serve your delicious honey orange glazed chicken thighs warm!

Nutrient Benefits

Eating honey orange glazed chicken thighs can provide a great range of nutrients for your body. Rich in protein, these thighs also contain essential vitamins and amino acids to help your body function optimally.

The combination of honey and orange juice helps give the dish its flavor while providing additional minerals like calcium and iron. Vitamin C from the orange juice helps keep your immune system strong, while antioxidants in the honey are thought to reduce inflammation in the body.

Additionally, these chicken thighs supply healthy fats that promote energy and cardiovascular health. Eating this dish regularly can make a significant contribution towards meeting daily nutritional needs in an enjoyable way!

Final Thoughts & Serving Suggestions

Serve these honey orange glazed chicken thighs with a side of roasted vegetables for a complete meal. These succulent and flavorful chicken thighs are sure to impress your dinner guests.

The sweet, tangy glaze adds an irresistible hint of citrus while the subtle hint of honey makes this dish truly memorable. The combination of flavors creates a delicious balance that will leave everyone wanting more.

For those who need extra protein in their meals, these chicken thighs provide plenty of it! They can also be served as part of an entrée or enjoyed as a main course. No matter how you serve them, they’re sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.

Enjoy and bon appétit!

Conclusion

I’ve made this honey orange glazed chicken dish countless times and it’s always a hit.

The sweetness from the honey combined with the tartness of the oranges creates a delicious flavor that complements the juicy, tender chicken perfectly.

Whether served with steamed vegetables or mashed potatoes, it’s sure to be loved by all!

If you’re looking for an easy yet impressive meal, give this one a try – you won’t regret it!