Description
A delightful dish combining vibrant orange flavors and smoky chipotle with tender chicken, perfect for weeknight dinners or celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chipotle in adobo sauce (adjust based on spice preference)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro (for garnish)
- Lime wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Begin by marinating your chicken. In a bowl, combine orange juice, olive oil, chipotle in adobo, minced garlic, honey, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Whisk until well blended. Add the chicken, ensuring it’s coated evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight for more robust flavor.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a baking dish by lightly greasing it with a bit of olive oil or cooking spray. If you prefer grilling, preheat your grill instead, as both methods work beautifully for this recipe.
- Once marinated, remove the chicken from the fridge and place it in the prepared baking dish. Reserve the marinade for basting. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C). If grilling, place the chicken on the grill and cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side, basting with the reserved marinade as you go.
- In the last few minutes of cooking, switch your oven to broil to create a beautiful caramelized finish on the chicken. If grilling, ensure you get a nice char on the chicken for that smoky flavor.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven or grill, and let it rest for about 5 minutes before slicing. This helps retain the juices, ensuring every bite is tender and juicy.
- Serve the chicken warm, garnished with fresh cilantro and lime wedges.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, use firm tofu or tempeh. Consider marinating chicken the night before for richer flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 110mg