Description
Orange Dijon Chicken brings zesty Mediterranean flavors straight to your dinner table with minimal effort. Marinating chicken breasts in a tangy blend of orange juice, Dijon mustard, and herbs creates a simple yet delicious meal that makes weeknight cooking delightful.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Liquids and Zests:
- ⅓ cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 teaspoon fresh)
Instructions
- Mix ⅓ cup orange juice, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon orange zest, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ½ teaspoon dried thyme in a bowl until completely blended.
- Transfer 1½ pounds chicken thighs or breasts into a large resealable plastic bag. Pour marinade over the meat, ensuring each piece gets completely coated.
- Refrigerate the marinating chicken for 30-120 minutes to allow flavors to penetrate deeply.
- Heat outdoor grill to 400°F (medium-high). Lightly brush grates with cooking oil to prevent sticking.
- Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Discard remaining liquid.
- Place chicken on preheated grill, cooking 5-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Check chicken for golden-brown exterior with caramelized edges. Remove from grill and let rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Always marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours to let the orange and Dijon flavors deeply penetrate the meat.
- Pat the chicken dry before grilling to ensure a perfect golden-brown exterior with beautiful grill marks.
- When zesting the orange, only use the bright orange part and avoid the bitter white pith underneath.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular Dijon mustard for a certified gluten-free mustard and double-check your soy sauce brand.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-14 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg