You'll love this unexpected baked orange chicken, in which humble chicken breasts are marinated in a sweet, tangy sauce and coated with orange marmalade.

Baked Orange Chicken

Coated in sweet, tangy citrus sauce, baked orange chicken is bursting with unexpected flavor, courtesy of orange marmalade. In this recipe, boneless, skinless chicken breasts are baked to perfection, but you could also use this marinade on grilled or deep-fried chicken (yum). Here’s how to make the tastiest baked orange chicken, whether you’re bookmarking party recipes or ideas for easy upgraded weeknight meals.
Ingredients for Baked Orange Chicken
- Orange juice: Orange juice in the marinade gives this chicken its deliciously tangy flavor.
- Soy sauce: We use reduced-sodium soy sauce in the marinade to best control the salt content in the dish.
- Chicken: This recipe calls for boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, but you could also opt for thighs or wings if you prefer dark meat.
- Orange marmalade: Orange marmalade provides an essential sweetness to the marinade.
Directions
Step 1: Make the marinade
In a small bowl, combine the orange juice and soy sauce.
Step 2: Marinate the chicken
Pour 1/4 cup of the marinade into a shallow dish, then add the chicken and turn it to coat. Cover the dish and refrigerate it for at least one hour. Also cover and refrigerate the remaining marinade.
Step 3: Prep the chicken for baking
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Drain the chicken, and discard the marinade. Place the chicken and reserved marinade in an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Spoon the marmalade over the chicken.
Step 4: Bake the chicken
Bake the chicken, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes or until the chicken juices run clear.
Baked Orange Chicken Variations
- Grill your chicken: Grilled chicken also makes for a tasty pairing with this marinade.
- Ramp up the heat: Add some crushed red pepper to the marinade if you feel like a little spice.
How to Store Baked Orange Chicken
Store any leftover baked orange chicken in airtight food-storage containers in the refrigerator.
How long does baked orange chicken last?
When it’s stored properly, baked orange chicken will last for three to four days.
Baked Orange Chicken Tips
What pairs well with baked orange chicken?
We love serving this baked orange chicken recipe over a bed of fluffy, buttered rice, with a simple green salad or roasted broccoli on the side.
Can I make a double batch of the marinade?
Yes, you can make a double batch of the marinade used in this recipe. Simply double the ingredients (the orange juice, soy sauce and marmalade) without adding them to the chicken, and place the leftovers in the fridge.
What can I do with the leftover marinade?
You’ve made your baked orange chicken with orange marmalade, and now you have a little leftover marinade. We like it for oven-roasted vegetables, as a sauce for burgers and as a dipping sauce for fries or bread.
Baked Orange Chicken
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)
- 2 tablespoons orange marmalade
Directions
- In a small bowl, combine orange juice and soy sauce. Pour 1/4 cup marinade into a shallow dish; add chicken and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade.
- Drain and discard marinade. Place chicken and reserved marinade in an 8-in. square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Spoon marmalade over chicken. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until chicken juices run clear.
Nutrition Facts
1 chicken breast half: 189 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 224mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 0 fiber), 23g protein.