Orange Glazed Chicken is juicy chicken breasts dredged in flour, seared until golden, and baked in a sweet and tangy homemade orange glaze. An easy chicken dinner the whole family will love.

Getting dinner on the table every night can be a struggle. Some nights you’re short on time, some nights nothing sounds good, and then you add in a whole family with different tastes. This Orange Glazed Chicken is one of those recipes that makes everyone happy. The chicken gets a light dredge in flour, a quick sear in a hot skillet, and then it bakes right in a sticky orange glaze until it’s tender and juicy.

 

This isn’t the sticky-sweet orange chicken you get from Chinese take-out. The glaze is made with real orange juice, a splash of apple cider vinegar, a little brown sugar and honey, and a mix of chili powder, paprika, and cumin. You get bright orange flavor, just enough sweetness, and a warm, savory depth from the spices. It will totally make you re-think what orange chicken can be!

Ingredient Notes

For the Orange Glaze

• Orange juice: Fresh squeezed or bottled both work great. I like fresh squeezed so I have oranges on hand to slice and add to the skillet.
• Apple cider vinegar: Adds tang and balances the sweetness.
• Light brown sugar and honey: Just enough sweetness to help the glaze thicken and caramelize.
• Chili powder, paprika, and cumin: These give the glaze its warm, savory depth.

For the Chicken

• Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless, about 4 to 6 ounces each. Try to choose pieces that are similar in size so they cook evenly.
• All-purpose flour: A light coating helps the chicken brown and gives the glaze something to stick to.
• Olive oil: For searing.
• Salt and pepper: To season the chicken before dredging.

How To Make Orange Glazed Chicken

1. Make the glaze. In a small saucepan, mix together the orange juice, vinegar, brown sugar, honey, chili powder, paprika, and cumin. Bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer for about 25 minutes until it starts to thicken.
2. Preheat the oven. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
3. Season and dredge the chicken. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then dredge each piece in flour and shake off the excess.
4. Sear the chicken. Heat a large oven-safe skillet over high heat and add the oil. Once it’s hot, sear the chicken breasts for 3 to 4 minutes on the first side until browned.
5. Glaze and bake. Flip the chicken, pour the glaze over the top, and place the skillet in the oven. Bake for about 20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Recipe Tips

1. Start the glaze first. It needs about 25 minutes to simmer and thicken, so get it going before you prep the chicken. Or make it ahead of time!
2. Shake off the extra flour. You want a light, even coating. Too much flour can turn gummy under the glaze.
3. Use an oven-safe skillet. The chicken goes straight from the stovetop to the oven, so cast iron or stainless steel works best.
4. Don’t move the chicken while it sears. Let it sit for the full 3 to 4 minutes so it gets a nice golden crust.
5. Use a meat thermometer. Chicken breasts vary in size, so check for 165°F in the thickest part instead of relying on the time alone.
6. Spoon the glaze over before serving. Spoon the extra glaze from the skillet over the chicken right before serving.

Recipe Variations

• Use chicken thighs. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work great and stay extra juicy. Bake until they reach 165°F.
• Add orange slices. Tuck a few fresh orange slices around the chicken in the skillet before it goes into the oven. They add even more orange flavor and look so pretty for serving.

Make Ahead & Storage

Make the glaze ahead: Simmer the glaze, let it cool, and store it in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to make dinner. Warm it slightly before pouring it over the chicken.

Storing leftovers: Store leftover chicken and glaze in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.

Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or in a covered skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through.

More Tasty Chicken Dinner Recipes

• French Onion Chicken
• Chili’s Margarita Grilled Chicken
• Chicken Satay Stir Fry
• Easy Chicken Fajitas
• Southwest Baked Chicken