Ingredients
– 4 chicken legs (thighs and drumsticks)
– 1 cup fresh orange juice
– Zest of 1 orange
– ¼ cup honey
– 3 tablespoons soy sauce
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
– ½ teaspoon salt
– ¼ teaspoon black pepper
– 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
Instructions
Creating Baked Orange Chicken Legs is easy when you follow these simple steps:
1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
2. Make the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together the orange juice, zest, honey, soy sauce, olive oil, garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper.
3. Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken legs in a large resealable plastic bag or a bowl. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring they are evenly coated. Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for better flavor absorption.
4. Transfer to Baking Dish: Remove chicken from marinade and place them in the prepared baking dish. Reserve the marinade for later.
5. Bake the Chicken: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes.
6. Baste the Chicken: After 25 minutes, remove the chicken from the oven and baste with the reserved marinade. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until cooked through.
7. Check for Doneness: The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
8. Optional Glaze: If you’d like a thicker sauce, remove the chicken from the dish, pour the remaining marinade into a saucepan, and stir in cornstarch. Heat on medium until thickened, then pour over the chicken before serving.
9. Rest: Let the chicken sit for 5-10 minutes before serving for juicy results.
Following these simple steps will give you flavorful Baked Orange Chicken Legs that are sure to impress!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Fat: 10g
- Protein: 28g