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Orange-Chipotle Chicken

Orange-Chipotle Chicken
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Orange-Chipotle Chicken is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring juicy chicken thighs or breasts glazed with a sweet, smoky, and spicy orange-chipotle sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe combines fresh orange juice with smoky chipotle peppers in adobo, honey, garlic, and olive oil for an easy, versatile meal perfect for weeknights or entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 1.5 lbs boneless chicken thighs or breasts

Marinade & Sauce

  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
  • 2–3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced (adjust to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed or minced
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

For Cooking

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Optional Garnish

  • Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Thinly sliced green onions
  • Orange wedges

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together fresh orange juice, minced chipotle peppers in adobo, honey, crushed garlic, salt, and pepper. This mixture will serve as both the marinade and the glaze sauce.
  2. Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs or breasts in a shallow dish or zip-lock bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well-coated. Let it marinate for at least 20 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor.
  3. Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the liquid. Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes per side, until fully cooked and nicely caramelized on the outside.
  4. Make the Glaze: Pour the reserved marinade into the skillet. Simmer over medium heat for a few minutes until it thickens into a glossy glaze that clings to the chicken.
  5. Serve and Garnish: Drizzle the glaze over the cooked chicken. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, and orange wedges for a fresh, colorful finish.

Notes

  • Marinate the chicken for at least 20 minutes but no more than 4 hours to keep it tender.
  • Using chicken thighs results in juicier meat that absorbs the sauce well.
  • Adjust the amount of chipotle peppers to control the heat level.
  • Simmer the reserved marinade to thicken naturally without added starch.
  • Allow the cooked chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving to retain juices.

Nutrition

Keywords: Orange Chicken, Chipotle Chicken, Spicy Chicken, Quick Dinner, Gluten Free, Chicken Thighs, Weeknight Meal

Find it online: https://dailydishez.com/orange-chipotle-chicken/