Maple syrup and fresh orange give an amazing flavor to this simple recipe for baked chicken. It is easy to prepare and just toss in the oven for less than an hour. Although using a whole chicken that you cut up yourself is more economical, you can use your favorite pre-cut chicken cuts with equal success. Great as a glaze for chicken wings, too.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken, about 3-1/2 pounds, cut into 4 quarters
- 1 fresh orange (you will need both the zest and 1/4 cup of the juice)
- 1/4 cup (4 Tablespoons or 1/2 stick) butter, melted
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or rosemary
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 400 F. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with nonstick foil. Place a baking rack in the pan, then put the chicken quarters skin-side-down on the prepared pan.
Remove the zest from the orange with a microplane or grater, then juice the orange.
Whisk together orange zest, 1/4 cup of the orange juice, butter, maple syrup, onion powder, salt, thyme or rosemary, and pepper.
Brush 1/4 of the orange mixture over the chicken pieces. Turn chicken skin-side-up and brush with 1/4 of the orange mixture. Roast, uncovered, for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and brush with remaining 1/2 of orange mixture. Return to oven and roast an additional 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven, tent with foil, and let rest for 15 minutes before serving.
Yield: 4 servings
Note: You may use pre-cut chicken pieces such as legs, thighs, breasts, or any combination, if you wish. However, a whole chicken is generally much less expensive. You can easily cut up a whole chicken with a pair of kitchen shears.
Maple Orange Chicken Recipe Photo © 2009 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Remove the zest from the orange with a microplane or grater, then juice the orange.
Whisk together orange zest, 1/4 cup of the orange juice, butter, maple syrup, onion powder, salt, thyme or rosemary, and pepper.
Brush 1/4 of the orange mixture over the chicken pieces. Turn chicken skin-side-up and brush with 1/4 of the orange mixture. Roast, uncovered, for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and brush with remaining 1/2 of orange mixture. Return to oven and roast an additional 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven, tent with foil, and let rest for 15 minutes before serving.
Yield: 4 servings
Note: You may use pre-cut chicken pieces such as legs, thighs, breasts, or any combination, if you wish. However, a whole chicken is generally much less expensive. You can easily cut up a whole chicken with a pair of kitchen shears.
Maple Orange Chicken Recipe Photo © 2009 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, licensed to About.com, Inc.
