Description
This Grilled Orange Chicken recipe features tender boneless chicken breasts marinated overnight in a flavorful blend of fresh orange juice, spices, and oil, delivering a zesty and aromatic grilled dish perfect for summer meals or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Marinade
- 1 cup vegetable or canola oil
- ½ cup fresh orange juice
- 1 Tbsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp dried thyme leaves (crushed)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together the vegetable or canola oil, fresh orange juice, salt, paprika, dried oregano, onion powder, crushed dried thyme leaves, and garlic powder until well combined to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate Chicken: Place the chicken breasts into a large gallon ziplock bag. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, lightly pound the chicken to an even thickness. Pour the prepared marinade over the chicken in the bag, seal it, and ensure the chicken is well coated.
- Refrigerate Overnight: Place the sealed bag with chicken and marinade into the refrigerator and allow it to marinate overnight. This step helps the flavors deeply penetrate and tenderizes the chicken.
- Bring to Room Temperature: Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade, placing them onto a plate or platter. Allow them to rest uncovered at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before grilling. This helps the chicken cook more evenly.
- Grill Chicken: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken breasts for about 12 to 15 minutes or until fully cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), turning as needed for even cooking and grill marks.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken overnight for the best flavor and tenderness.
- Ensure the chicken is at room temperature before grilling to allow even cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm that the chicken is fully cooked to avoid undercooking.
- Alternative oils such as olive oil can be used for a different flavor profile.
- Adjust grilling time based on the thickness of the chicken breasts.
