Healthy Orange Herb Chicken {Recipe}

Sorry for being so MIA on the blog this week. It’s been one of those weeks where I feel like I am hitting the pillow at night wondering if I even looked in the mirror all day. It’s been a fun week to say the least, but I have been running at 5am two days a week, teaching AKB, cuddling a teething baby, taking RJ to her first swim lessons and trying to be a good wife and make Hubby his favorite dishes.

Speaking of favorite dishes, my husbands most favorite thing in the world is Orange Chicken. I cringe every time he orders it when we are out. So when I saw this Pin on Pinterest for a grilled version of Orange Chicken, I just knew I had to make it. We also have a tree that is growing oranges like crazy! I changed up the recipe a bit, but just sticking with boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of bone in and with the skin. I also only used oranges and left out the lemons.

Honestly this might be the best thing I have ever made, like EVER! I am going to be making this in a couple of batches and freezing for nights when I don’t have time to think!

Healthy Orange Herb Chicken

Adapted from The Comfort of Cooking

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup olive oil

4 cloves of garlic, minced

2 tablespoons sugar

4 whole oranges, two juiced and two sliced

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

10-12 pieces (about 4 1/2 lbs.) bone-in chicken parts (thighs and legs are best), pat dry I did skinless boneless chicken thighs and still tasted amazing!

1 medium onion (any kind), thinly sliced (I omitted because I didn’t have on hand)

1 teaspoon dried thyme, or fresh chopped

1 tablespoon dried rosemary, or fresh chopped

Chopped fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, parsley), for garnish, optional

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, garlic, sugar,orange juice, Italian seasoning, paprika, onion powder, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper.

Place chicken in a rimmed 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Place parts skin side up and spread them out evenly in the pan. Pour olive oil mixture all over chicken, turning pieces to coat all sides. (If you marinated the chicken in this mixture, still add it all in). Arrange slices of , orange and onion around and under the chicken. Sprinkle all over generously with thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper.

Bake uncovered for about 1 hour, or until chicken is cooked and juices run clear. Remove parts to a serving platter and garnish with additional chopped fresh herbs, if desired.

Pinterest  Version on left and my finished version on the right

Question: What is the best Pinterest recipe you have ever made?