Description
A wonderfully sweet and tangy chicken dish featuring juicy chicken quarters bathed in a vibrant maple and orange glaze, perfect for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
4 chicken quarters (about 2.5-3 lbs total)
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a hint of heat)
Orange slices for garnish (optional)
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken quarters thoroughly dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, orange juice, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) to create the glaze.
Step 3: Place the chicken quarters in a large baking dish. Pour half of the maple orange glaze over the chicken, ensuring each piece is coated. Reserve the remaining glaze for basting during cooking.
Step 4: Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven, baste generously with some of the reserved glaze, and return to the oven.
Step 5: Continue baking for another 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) when measured with a meat thermometer and the skin is beautifully caramelized. Baste every 10 minutes with the remaining glaze.
Step 6: For extra crispiness and a deeper golden color, you can briefly broil the chicken for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching carefully to prevent burning the glaze.
Step 7: Remove the chicken from the oven, let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh orange slices and chopped parsley, if desired, for a beautiful presentation.
Notes
For a spicier kick, feel free to increase the amount of red pepper flakes to 1/2 teaspoon. This recipe can also be adapted for grilling; just make sure to cook over indirect heat and baste frequently to prevent the glaze from burning too quickly due to its sugar content.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken quarter
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
