Citrusy, Spicy Orange Pepper Chicken Skewers
Citrusy, Spicy Orange Pepper Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
For the Chicken Skewers
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons orange pepper seasoning
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Spicy Orange Pepper Glaze
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon orange zest, freshly grated
- 1 tablespoon chili oil, or more, to taste
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon orange pepper seasoning
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
For Garnish
- 1 teaspoon orange zest, freshly grated
- 2 tablespoons chives, chopped
Instructions
- 1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cut chicken thighs, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons orange pepper seasoning, minced ginger, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Mix thoroughly by hand until the chicken is well coated.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Thread the seasoned chicken pieces onto skewers. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes prior to threading to prevent burning. Allow the chicken to marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 4 hours for deeper flavor.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
While the chicken marinates, prepare the spicy orange pepper glaze. In a medium saucepan, combine orange juice, minced garlic, 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest, chili oil, granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon orange pepper seasoning, and 1 tablespoon soy sauce. Whisk to combine.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Add the slurry to the saucepan with the glaze ingredients. Heat the glaze over medium heat, stirring continuously, until it thickens and becomes glossy, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Preheat your chosen cooking method. If using a grill pan, heat it over medium-high heat until hot. If using an oven, preheat to 400°F (200°C). If using an air fryer, preheat to 375°F (190°C).
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400
- 6
Cook the chicken skewers. For a grill pan, cook for 3-4 minutes per side, turning occasionally, until charred and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F). For oven, bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway. For air fryer, cook for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway, until cooked through.
⏱️ 15 min
- 7
Once the chicken skewers are cooked, transfer them directly into the saucepan with the prepared spicy orange pepper glaze. Use tongs to coat each skewer thoroughly with the glaze.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Plate the glazed chicken skewers. Garnish with additional fresh orange zest and chopped chives. Serve immediately, ideally with rice and steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Citrusy, Spicy Orange Pepper Chicken Skewers
For the Chicken Skewers
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons orange pepper seasoning
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Spicy Orange Pepper Glaze
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon orange zest, freshly grated
- 1 tablespoon chili oil, or more, to taste
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon orange pepper seasoning
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
For Garnish
- 1 teaspoon orange zest, freshly grated
- 2 tablespoons chives, chopped
Instructions
- 1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cut chicken thighs, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons orange pepper seasoning, minced ginger, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Mix thoroughly by hand until the chicken is well coated.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Thread the seasoned chicken pieces onto skewers. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes prior to threading to prevent burning. Allow the chicken to marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 4 hours for deeper flavor.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
While the chicken marinates, prepare the spicy orange pepper glaze. In a medium saucepan, combine orange juice, minced garlic, 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest, chili oil, granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon orange pepper seasoning, and 1 tablespoon soy sauce. Whisk to combine.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Add the slurry to the saucepan with the glaze ingredients. Heat the glaze over medium heat, stirring continuously, until it thickens and becomes glossy, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Preheat your chosen cooking method. If using a grill pan, heat it over medium-high heat until hot. If using an oven, preheat to 400°F (200°C). If using an air fryer, preheat to 375°F (190°C).
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400 - 6
Cook the chicken skewers. For a grill pan, cook for 3-4 minutes per side, turning occasionally, until charred and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F). For oven, bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway. For air fryer, cook for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway, until cooked through.
⏱️ 15 min - 7
Once the chicken skewers are cooked, transfer them directly into the saucepan with the prepared spicy orange pepper glaze. Use tongs to coat each skewer thoroughly with the glaze.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Plate the glazed chicken skewers. Garnish with additional fresh orange zest and chopped chives. Serve immediately, ideally with rice and steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
⏱️ 2 min