Succulent chicken thighs glazed with a sweet and tangy sauce featuring Hale Groves Cara Cara Navel Oranges. The combination of honey, Dijon mustard, and fresh orange juice creates a beautifully balanced flavor that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- ¼ cup fresh Hale Groves Cara Cara Orange juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 Hale Groves Cara Cara Orange, sliced into thin wedges
- ½ cup red onion, cut into strips
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- Zest of one Hale Groves Cara Cara Orange (zest before juicing)
- Fresh sage leaves for garnish (optional)
Directions
- Make the marinade: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together Cara Cara orange juice, honey, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and Dijon mustard until well blended.
- Marinate the chicken: Add chicken thighs to the bowl and toss until fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes (or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor).
- Preheat oven: Set oven to 425°F.
- Brown the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade (reserve the marinade) and brown for 2 minutes on each side. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Cook the vegetables: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, orange slices, and red onion strips. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until onions begin to soften.
- Bake: Return chicken to the skillet, pour reserved marinade over everything, and transfer to the preheated oven. Bake for 18-20 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the sauce has thickened.
- Serve: Transfer to a serving platter, garnish with fresh Cara Cara orange zest and sage leaves. Serve immediately.
Tips for Success
Why Cara Cara Oranges? These pink-fleshed oranges are sweeter and less acidic than regular navels, with notes of berry and cherry that add complexity to the glaze.
Crispy skin: For extra crispy chicken skin, pat the chicken dry before browning and don’t move it around too much in the pan.
Suggested side dishes: Roasted broccoli florets, steamed green beans, or a fresh arugula salad complement this dish beautifully.
Why Cara Cara Oranges Make This Special: Cara Cara Navel Oranges have a distinctive pinkish-red flesh and exceptionally sweet flavor that’s less tart than traditional navels. Their natural sweetness balances perfectly with tangy Dijon and balsamic, creating a restaurant-quality glaze at home.
Ready to make this delicious dish? Shop Cara Cara Navel Oranges from Hale Groves.