Orange chicken thighs are an easy, quick, and surprisingly tasty recipe, perfect for serving during the holidays.
This main course combines the delicacy of chicken with the citrus freshness of orange, creating a perfect combination for Christmas lunch or a special dinner. If you are looking for an original way to cook chicken, this preparation is ideal!
To make orange chicken thighs, only a few genuine ingredients are needed: chicken thighs, flour, sage, rosemary, white wine, and fresh orange juice. After lightly flouring the thighs, they are browned in a pan with a drizzle of oil, salt, and aromatic herbs. Once golden on all sides, deglaze with white wine and add half of the orange juice. Continue cooking for about 20 minutes, adding water if necessary to keep the meat tender and juicy.
The final touch? A creamy and fragrant orange sauce prepared directly in the pan with the remaining juice and a teaspoon of flour. The result is an elegant dish with a balanced flavor, perfect to accompany with roasted potatoes or seasonal vegetables.
Discover how to prepare orange chicken thighs step by step and bring to the table a main course that will win everyone over!
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Cheap
- Preparation time: 5 Minutes
- Portions: 3 People
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Christmas, New Year's Eve
Ingredients
- 6 chicken thighs
- 3 oranges
- 1 cup white wine
- flour
- sage and rosemary
- salt
Tools
ORANGE CHICKEN THIGHS
- 1 Skillet skillet
- 1 Cutting Board cutting board
- 1 Citrus Juicer citrus juicer
Steps
ORANGE CHICKEN THIGHS
Preparing the orange chicken thighs is simple: Lightly flour the chicken thighs on all sides.
In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of oil and add them. Add salt, and a chop of sage and rosemary.
Sauté the chicken over medium heat until it is golden on all sides.
Pour the white wine and let evaporate completely.
Add half of the orange juice and cook for about 20 minutes, covering with a lid. If the bottom dries too much, add a little water.
When the thighs are cooked, remove them from the pan and keep them warm. In the same pan, pour the remaining orange juice and add a teaspoon of flour, mixing well to avoid lumps.
Let the sauce thicken over low heat for a few minutes.
Serve the orange chicken thighs hot with their sauce!
✨Tips for preparing orange chicken thighs
Choose fresh chicken thighs: the quality of the meat is crucial for obtaining a tender and flavorful dish.
Lightly flour: do not overdo it, just enough to make the skin crispier and bind the sauce better.
Brown the chicken well: turn it on all sides until it is golden, so it will retain its internal juices and stay tender.
Use dry white wine: it will give a balanced, not too sweet taste, perfect with orange.
Fresh citrus: squeeze freshly cut oranges for an intense and natural flavor. Avoid packaged juices.
Add aromatic herbs: sage and rosemary are perfect, but you can also try thyme or bay leaf for variation.
Monitor cooking: if the bottom dries too much, add a little hot water to keep the meat juicy.
Creamy sauce: mix the flour well with the orange juice to avoid lumps and get a smooth and shiny glaze.
Pairings: serve the orange chicken thighs with roasted potatoes, basmati rice, or seasonal vegetables for a complete meal.
Presentation: garnish with fresh orange slices and a rosemary sprig to make the dish elegant and inviting.
