Description
Orange-infused baked chicken delights with zesty Mediterranean flavors. Crisp chicken pieces glazed with citrus marinade promise a memorable meal that draws palates closer to Greece’s culinary essence.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 g) chicken thighs, boneless skinless
- 1 cup (240 ml) panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup (120 ml) flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 10 tbsps (150 ml) sugar
- 10 tbsps (150 ml) white vinegar
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) rice wine
- ¼ cup (60 ml) orange juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) cornstarch
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 ½ tbsps (22.5 ml) fresh ginger, minced
- 2 tsps (10 ml) garlic, minced
- 1 tsp (5 ml) sesame oil
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) crushed red pepper
- 1 orange, zested
Instructions
- Breadcrumb Preparation: Pulverize panko breadcrumbs into fine, uniform crumbs using a food processor to ensure optimal coating texture.
- Breading Station: Arrange three separate containers – one with flour, another with whisked eggs, and the third with ground panko breadcrumbs – creating a strategic breading setup.
- Flour Coating: Thoroughly dredge each chicken piece in flour, guaranteeing complete coverage and eliminating excess moisture for a pristine base layer.
- Egg Dip: Immerse flour-coated chicken into beaten eggs, allowing surplus liquid to drip off, establishing an even adhesive layer for breadcrumbs.
- Panko Encrusting: Gently roll egg-drenched chicken through ground panko, pressing delicately to achieve a uniform, crisp exterior that will transform during baking.
- Baking Preparation: Position breaded chicken pieces on a prepared baking sheet, maintaining slight separation to promote even browning and crispiness.
- Oil Application: Lightly mist or brush chicken with vegetable oil to enhance golden coloration and textural crunch.
- Oven Roasting: Bake in a preheated 400°F oven until chicken develops an amber, crispy exterior, approximately 20-25 minutes.
- Sauce Creation: Simultaneously craft vibrant orange sauce by gently sautéing aromatic ingredients like ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan.
- Sauce Development: Introduce liquid components – rice wine, fresh orange juice, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, and vinegar – allowing the mixture to simmer and reduce.
- Sauce Refinement: Continue simmering until the sauce thickens and develops a glossy, intense flavor profile with concentrated citrus notes.
- Glazing Process: Remove chicken from oven and generously coat with the freshly prepared orange sauce, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Final Garnish: Sprinkle bright orange zest over the glazed chicken, adding an aromatic and visually appealing finishing touch.
Notes
- Optimize Breadcrumb Texture: Pulse panko in a food processor to create ultra-fine, even crumbs for maximum crispiness.
- Master Breading Technique: Set up three separate stations with flour, beaten eggs, and ground panko to ensure perfect coating coverage.
- Oil Application Trick: Lightly mist or brush chicken with oil before baking to achieve a golden, crispy exterior without deep-frying.
- Sauce Reduction Secrets: Simmer sauce slowly to develop rich, concentrated flavors and achieve the ideal glossy, thick consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 530
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 330 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 67 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg