Glazed Orange Chicken with Thyme
Glazed Orange Chicken with Thyme
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Orange Thyme Glaze
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
For Garnish
- fresh thyme sprigs, as needed
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted, optional
Instructions
- 1
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Cut them into 1-inch pieces. Season the chicken all over with salt and black pepper.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add half of the seasoned chicken pieces to the skillet in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until deeply browned. Remove the browned chicken to a plate and repeat with the remaining chicken. Set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
While the chicken cooks, prepare the glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together the fresh orange juice, low sodium soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, grated fresh ginger, minced garlic, and orange zest. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to create a slurry.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Reduce the heat under the skillet to medium. Pour the orange glaze mixture into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Slowly whisk the cornstarch slurry into the simmering glaze. Continue to whisk gently until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in the chopped fresh thyme leaves.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Return all of the browned chicken pieces to the skillet with the thickened glaze. Toss the chicken to coat thoroughly. Continue to cook for another 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is heated through and well-coated with the glossy glaze.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Serve the Glazed Orange Chicken immediately. Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs and toasted sesame seeds, if desired.
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Glazed Orange Chicken with Thyme
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Orange Thyme Glaze
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
For Garnish
- fresh thyme sprigs, as needed
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted, optional
Instructions
- 1
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Cut them into 1-inch pieces. Season the chicken all over with salt and black pepper.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add half of the seasoned chicken pieces to the skillet in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until deeply browned. Remove the browned chicken to a plate and repeat with the remaining chicken. Set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
While the chicken cooks, prepare the glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together the fresh orange juice, low sodium soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, grated fresh ginger, minced garlic, and orange zest. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to create a slurry.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Reduce the heat under the skillet to medium. Pour the orange glaze mixture into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Slowly whisk the cornstarch slurry into the simmering glaze. Continue to whisk gently until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in the chopped fresh thyme leaves.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Return all of the browned chicken pieces to the skillet with the thickened glaze. Toss the chicken to coat thoroughly. Continue to cook for another 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is heated through and well-coated with the glossy glaze.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Serve the Glazed Orange Chicken immediately. Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs and toasted sesame seeds, if desired.