Learn how to make Maple Orange Glazed Chicken Quarters: juicy, sweet, and savory oven-baked perfection with a sticky orange glaze that will have your taste buds singing!
Author:Sarah
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time:1 hour 35 minutes
Yield:4 servings
Category:Main Dish
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Gluten Free
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
2.2 pounds (about 1 kilogram) chicken leg quarters
3 oranges, thinly sliced
4 sprigs fresh thyme
For the Marinade:
Juice of 2 oranges
¼ cup olive oil
½ cup pure maple syrup
⅓ cup soy sauce or tamari
1 teaspoon red chili flakes
Instructions
Prepare the Marinade: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together orange juice, olive oil, maple syrup, soy sauce, and red chili flakes until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken leg quarters to the bowl, turning each piece to coat thoroughly in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. For the best flavor, let it marinate overnight.
Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 390°F and prepare a large sheet pan by lining it with parchment paper.
Assemble the Dish: Arrange a layer of orange slices across the lined sheet pan. Place the marinated chicken leg quarters on top of the orange slices, then pour the remaining marinade over the meat. Scatter the remaining orange slices and thyme sprigs around the pan.
Bake Covered: Dampen a large piece of parchment paper and lay it loosely over the chicken. Bake for 1 hour, allowing the flavors to mingle and the meat to become tender.
Brown the Chicken: Remove the parchment cover and spoon some of the pan juices over the chicken. Return the pan to the oven and roast uncovered for 15 minutes, or until the chicken is golden and the edges are caramelized.
Serve: Transfer the roasted chicken to a platter and drizzle with the sticky orange glaze from the pan. Garnish with a few roasted orange slices and fresh thyme sprigs for a beautiful finish.
Notes
For a caramelized finish, you can broil the chicken for a few minutes after roasting.
Make sure to check the internal temperature of the chicken for doneness.