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    Home » Main dishes

    Orange rosemary chicken

    December 19, 2022 by Caroline's Cooking

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    orange rosemary chicken

    This orange rosemary chicken is an easy, comforting dish that's quick to prepare and with lovely light, aromatic flavors. A tasty mix of gently sweet and herby, it's perfect for any occasion.

    Jump to Recipe
    plate with two pieces of orange rosemary chicken over rice with broccoli behind and sprig of rosemary in front of plate

    This post may contain affiliate links, where we earn from qualifying purchases. See more details in the policy page.

    I have always been a big citrus fan - there's something so bright and fresh about pretty much all varieties. Lemon is probably the one I turn to the most, both for sweet and savory, but orange can add a lovely flavor too.

    The one challenge with orange as a flavor, especially compared to lemon, is that it can tend to get lost. Don't get me wrong, it can be a great addition in the mix, such as in lechon asado, Cuban roast pork (which typically uses sour oranges, but you can mix orange with other citrus) or carne asada, Mexican marinated & grilled beef.

    close up view of pieces of orange rosemary chicken over rice

    But if you want an orangey-orange flavor? That can be a little trickier. The flavor is not as strong, and so often you can only just tell it is there by the time you have finished cooking. And sometimes not really at all.

    Orange does have a few flavor friends, though, that help to bring out the best in it. Chocolate is probably one of the best known of those, but rosemary also pairs really well.

    This dish uses that simple combination and adds just a couple extra flavors for easy, juicy, flavorful chicken. The orange flavor is still relatively mild, as you might expect, but it's most definitely 'there' and delicious with it.

    bowls with chicken, honey with orange to one side, rosemary, garlic and oil

    Tips for making orange rosemary chicken

    This dish is really easy to make, as you simply mix up the marinade ingredients, add the chicken, and leave it for a little while to soak up the flavor.

    Since there is a reasonable amount of acidity in the marinade, due to the orange juice, you don't want to leave the chicken in the marinade too long as it can impact the texture of the meat. Around 2 hours is good, though it could take a slightly longer if that suits your schedule better.

    Here I roasted the chicken, which I find great for keeping as much of the flavor as possible. The chicken juices mix with the marinade (which also cooks, which is important) to give a lovely sauce for serving.

    pieces of chicken in orange and rosemary marinade

    However, you could also grill, broil or pan-fry the chicken if you prefer. If you do, I suggest simmering the leftover marinade a few minutes, so that it is safe to use, and then use as a sauce. It's worth having all that yummy flavor! If needed, add a little extra orange juice if it seems there isn't enough liquid.

    I like it served with rice so that the rice can soak in the sauce flavors, but it would work with other sides, too.

    This orange rosemary chicken is so easy to make, with bright and tasty flavors. It has a little sweet, a little savory and is delicious whenever you choose to enjoy.

    two pieces of orange rosemary chicken over rice in plate

    Try these other tasty chicken recipes:

    • Chicken saltimbocca - one of our favorites, with prosciutto and sage
    • Aji de gallina - Peruvian chicken with a smooth, gently spiced sauce
    • Musakhan - another comforting dish, with sumac and meltingly tasty onions
    • Chicken Balmoral - a comforting Scottish dish of haggis stuffed chicken
    • Plus get more main course recipes in the archives.
    plate of orange rosemary chicken over rice with broccoli behind
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Orange rosemary chicken

    A simple, delicate set of flavors that brightens up your chicken.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Marinading time2 hrs
    Total Time25 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 4 approx
    Calories: 465kcal
    Author: Caroline's Cooking
    SaveSaved!

    Ingredients

    • ⅓ cup orange juice 80ml, from 1 orange
    • ½ orange zest ie from ½ orange
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 ½ tablespoon honey
    • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary finely chopped
    • 2 cloves garlic crushed
    • 1 ½ lb chicken thighs 675g, boneless, see notes

    Instructions

    • Combine the orange juice, orange zest, olive oil, honey, rosemary and garlic in a bowl or container so everything is well combined. Add a little salt and pepper, to taste. (Alternatively, mix in the baking dish you will use to bake the chicken in.)
    • Add the chicken to the marinade and toss so that it is well coated. Cover and refrigerate for around 2 hours to marinade.
    • When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 400F/200C.
    • Place the chicken in a baking dish and pour over the extra marinade. Bake for around 25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

    Video

    Notes

    I used boneless thighs, in part for speed, but you can also use bone-in thighs for this which can turn out even juicier. They will need to cook for longer, though - nearer 45 minutes to cook through fully. You will also need a little more quantity-wise, nearer 2lb/900g. Chicken breasts can also work, but I don't find them quite as juicy. Cooking time will be similar to boneless thighs, but will depend on the thickness etc. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 465kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 128mg | Sodium: 120mg | Potassium: 380mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 301IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 2mg

    See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store. 

    This post was first shared in July 2016 and has been updated, with some tweaks to the recipe and new photos and information.

    Remember to pin for later!

    This orange rosemary chicken has a lovely combination of gently sweet and herb flavors. It's easy to prepare and perfect for any night of the week. The simple marinade comes together in no time, and then makes a tasty sauce for serving.
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    1. Noelle

      July 03, 2019 at 12:40 pm

      5 stars
      This will be the perfect recipe to try out on my new grill! Love all the favors

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        July 03, 2019 at 4:19 pm

        Perfect! Hope you enjoy.

        Reply
    2. Caroline's Cooking

      August 01, 2016 at 8:31 pm

      Thanks Judi! Sounds like a great idea to build-your-own.

      Reply
    3. Petra

      August 01, 2016 at 3:29 pm

      I can almost taste the chicken, the marinade sounds lush and I would happily tuck in to this! Perfect for Fiesta Friday! 🙂

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        August 01, 2016 at 8:39 pm

        Thanks Petra!

        Reply
    4. Julianna

      July 29, 2016 at 12:03 pm

      Perfect! I have been using a lot of rosemary this summer - it is growing like crazy in my herb garden! I will have to try your recipe! 😀

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        July 29, 2016 at 1:00 pm

        Thanks Julianna, it's a great herb and lucky you having it grow well at home. Hope you enjoy.

        Reply

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