It’s 5:30 PM. Your brain is fried. The family is hungry. You need a hero.
That hero is a sheet pan and some juicy chicken. Specifically, these Orange-Glazed Chicken Breasts. If you love a sweet and savory glaze, you should also try our popular Honey Mustard Glazed Chicken Breasts.
This is your new weeknight weapon. It’s fast. It’s packed with sweet, tangy flavor. And it makes you look like a kitchen genius with almost zero effort. Let’s get dinner on the table.
Recipe Overview
- Cuisine: American
- Category: Main Dish
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
Ultimate Guide to Orange-Glazed Chicken Breasts
Forget dry, boring chicken. This recipe is the only one you need.
Why? First, the flavor is insane. A sticky, glossy glaze that’s both sweet and bright. It clings to every bite.
Orange-Glazed Chicken Breasts Recipe
The Simple Ingredients
Let’s Get Cooking! (The Step-by-Step)
Notes
Enjoy your homemade Orange-Glazed Chicken Breasts Recipe!
Nutrition Information
Second, speed. We’re talking 30 minutes from fridge to fork. The oven does most of the work.
Third, ease. You probably have everything you need right now. No fancy techniques. Just maximum reward for minimum effort. That’s my kind of cooking.
The Simple Ingredients
I love a recipe that starts in the pantry. Check your fridge and cabinets. You’re likely already halfway there.
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup orange juice (fresh squeezed or good-quality from a carton)
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- Optional garnish: sliced green onions, sesame seeds, orange zest
Let’s Get Cooking! (The Step-by-Step)
Ready? Preheat that oven. We’re moving fast. This is where the magic happens in just a few simple steps.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. This helps them get a nice sear.
- Drizzle the chicken with olive oil. Rub it all over. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Heat a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side, until you get a beautiful golden-brown crust. Don’t move it around too much! Let it cook.
- While the chicken sears, make the glaze. In a small saucepan, whisk together the orange juice, honey, soy sauce, vinegar, and ginger. Bring it to a simmer over medium heat.
- In a tiny bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to make a “slurry.” Whisk this into the simmering orange juice mixture. Keep whisking for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens nicely. This is your flavor magic.
- Pour about half of the orange glaze over the chicken in the skillet. Use a spoon to coat each piece.
- Transfer the whole skillet to your preheated oven. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (165°F internal temp).
- Remove the skillet. Carefully pour the remaining fresh glaze over the hot chicken. Let it rest for 5 minutes. This keeps it juicy.
- Garnish if you like. Then serve immediately with all that amazing sauce from the pan.
What to Serve With This Dish
You need fast sides to match this fast chicken. No stress. These are my go-to pairings.
Instant rice or quick quinoa are perfect for soaking up the extra glaze. A bag of microwave-in-the-steamer-bag broccoli or green beans is a lifesaver. For a sweet side, our Orange Cranberry Glazed Banana Bread makes a delightful addition.
For something fresh, a simple bagged salad or pre-shredded coleslaw mix with a light vinaigrette works wonders. Dinner is done.
Make This Recipe Your Own (Quick Swaps)
Got a different ingredient? No problem. Make this recipe work for you. Flexibility is key for busy cooks.
Swap the honey for pure maple syrup. You’ll get a deeper, richer sweetness. Hello, fall vibes!
Use bottled lemon or lime juice instead of orange juice. You’ll create a totally different, but just as tasty, citrus glaze.
If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, just sear the chicken in any pan. Then transfer it to a baking dish, add the glaze, and bake. Easy fix.
How to Store Leftovers (If You Have Any!)
Let the chicken cool completely. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
The glaze might thicken up when cold. That’s normal! Just reheat gently in the microwave with a tiny splash of water or orange juice. It will become saucy again.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
- Calories: ~320
- Protein: 36g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Sugar: 24g
- Note: This is an estimate. Values can vary based on specific ingredients used.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I make this in the air fryer?
Absolutely! Sear the chicken in a pan for color, then transfer to the air fryer basket. Brush with glaze and cook at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, brushing again halfway. It’s a fantastic shortcut.
My sauce isn’t thickening. What do I do?
Make sure your glaze is at a good simmer. Also, create a fresh cornstarch slurry (equal parts cornstarch and cold water) and whisk it in. It should thicken in about a minute.
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes! Bone-in or boneless thighs work great. They might need a few extra minutes in the oven. Just cook to 165°F internal temperature.
See? Dinner doesn’t have to be a battle. With a few simple ingredients and one pan, you can serve something truly special. If you’re craving another lemony chicken dish, you’ll love our Zesty Chicken Francese with its juicy breasts in a lemony garlic sauce.
This orange-glazed chicken is your ticket to a calm, delicious weeknight. It proves that fast food can, and should, be fantastic food you make at home.
Go try this and win back your weeknight! Let me know how it goes by leaving a comment and rating below!
