Orange Marmalade Chicken Recipe: Quick and Delicious!

This is the easiest orange chicken you can make at home! It uses orange marmalade to create a simple, sweet orange sauce that coats lightly breaded chicken pieces. Orange marmalade has a jammy texture and includes both orange juice and peels, making it perfect for a thick, flavorful sauce.

It’s a common pantry item that takes the place of orange juice, zest, and sugar usually found in orange chicken recipes, making it a super satisfying and easy dinner option.

This orange marmalade chicken recipe is quick, simple, and perfect for a weeknight dinner. The glaze is made with my favorite no-sugar-added marmalade, and the dish is both gluten-free and dairy-free. You can store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To reheat, warm the leftovers in the oven or on the stovetop until heated through. Serve this delicious orange marmalade chicken with your favorite sides like rice, vegetables, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

This image shows a beautifully plated Orange Marmalade Chicken, featuring golden-brown chicken thighs and legs coated in a sticky-sweet glaze, served with caramelized shallots for a savory citrus flavor.

Orange Marmalade Chicken Recipe

Looking for an easy and flavorful dinner? Try this Orange Marmalade Chicken! It's a fun twist on the classic French dish Duck À L’Orange, but uses chicken legs and thighs instead. Roasted with caramelized shallots in a sticky-sweet rosemary orange glaze, this dish is packed with delicious citrus flavors that work well with any poultry.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine French
Servings 6
Calories 510 kcal

Equipment

  • Basting Brush
  • Instant Read Thermometer

Ingredients
  

  • 8 Shallots peeled and halved lengthwise (quarter them if they’re big)
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin Olive oil divided
  • Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • 4 Chicken leg quarters cut into 4 thighs and 4 legs
  • ½ cup Orange marmalade
  • 1 tbsp White wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp fresh Rosemary chopped

Instructions
 

  • Set your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
  • Toss the shallots on the baking sheet with 1 tablespoon of oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the marmalade, vinegar, rosemary, the remaining tablespoon of oil, and some salt and pepper.
    This image shows the process of whisking orange marmalade, white wine vinegar, chopped rosemary, and olive oil in a bowl to create the flavorful marinade for the chicken.
  • If needed, cut the chicken into individual legs and thighs. Add the chicken to the bowl with the glaze and toss until well coated.
    This image shows raw chicken legs and thighs being thoroughly coated in a sticky orange marmalade and rosemary marinade, ensuring they absorb all the flavors before baking.
  • Place the chicken pieces on the baking sheet, nestling them among the shallots.
    This image shows the marinated chicken legs and thighs arranged on a baking sheet, nestled between halved shallots, ready to go into the oven for roasting.
  • Put the baking sheet in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes. Then, take it out, turn the chicken pieces over, and baste with more glaze using a basting brush.
    This image shows the chicken and shallots baking in the oven, where the orange marmalade glaze begins to caramelize, giving the chicken a golden-brown finish.
  • Return the chicken to the oven and bake for another 20-30 minutes, until the chicken is browned and cooked through (it should read 165°F on an instant-read thermometer) and the shallots are tender.
    This image shows the chicken being basted with more of the orange marmalade glaze while baking, ensuring the final dish has a sticky, flavorful coating.
  • Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the chicken cool slightly. Serve warm with your favorite side dishes!
    This image shows the completed Orange Marmalade Chicken dish, served with caramelized shallots on a plate, ready to be enjoyed with side dishes.

Notes

  • Save time by prepping the glaze and chopping the shallots in advance. You can store the glaze in the fridge for up to a day before using it.
  • Feel free to play around with the glaze! You can add a splash of soy sauce for a hint of umami, or a bit of garlic for extra flavor. Adjust it to suit your taste!
Keyword Chicken with orange recipe, Easy marmalade chicken, How to make orange marmalade chicken?, Marmalade chicken dish, simple Orange chicken recipe

Nutrition Facts:

NutritionValue
Calories510 kcal
Carbohydrates34g
Protein25g
Fat30g
Cholesterol140mg
Sodium140mg 
Sugar23g
Calcium40mg

Can I Use Chicken Breasts Instead of Legs and Thighs?

Can I Use Chicken Breasts Instead of Legs and Thighs?

Yes, you can use chicken breasts if you prefer. Just keep in mind that chicken breasts cook faster than thighs and legs. Check them with a meat thermometer and remove them from the oven when they reach 165°F to avoid overcooking.

What Can I Use If I Don’t Have Fresh Rosemary?

If you don’t have fresh rosemary, you can use dried rosemary instead. Use about one-third the amount, so for this recipe, use 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary. You can also substitute with other herbs like thyme or sage for a different flavor.

Can I Make This Recipe Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can prepare parts of this recipe in advance. Marinate the chicken in the glaze and chop the shallots the day before. Store them in the fridge until you’re ready to cook. This can save you time on the day you plan to serve the dish.

2.5/5 - (2 votes)

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating