Sticky Orange Peanut Chicken
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Alright, folks, let’s talk about dinner! We all crave those satisfying meals that hit the spot, but who has hours to spend in the kitchen these days? This Sticky Orange Peanut Chicken is your weeknight hero. It’s crazy easy to throw together, uses ingredients you probably already have on hand, and the flavor? Oh man, the flavor is sticky, sweet, peanut-y goodness that will leave you wanting to lick the plate clean.
Why You’ll Love Sticky Orange Peanut Chicken
- Sweet Surprise: This chicken isn’t your average! It’s a delicious explosion of sweet orange and savory spices.
- Weeknight Wonder: Short on time? This Sticky Orange Peanut Chicken comes together in under 30 minutes,perfect for busy nights.
- Versatility FTW: Love this dish? Serve it over rice, in wraps, or get creative!
- Peanut Power: Peanuts are a sneaky source of healthy nutrients, and they taste amazing here.
- Family or Friends?: This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients Needed To Make Sticky Orange Peanut Chicken
- Chicken thighs (with skin and bone preferred)
- Olive oil
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Smoked paprika
- Orange juice
- Light brown sugar
- Sesame oil
- Korean chili paste
- Ground ginger paste
- Creamy peanut butter
- Soy sauce
- Tomato paste
- Mirin (or substitute rice vinegar)
- Chopped peanuts (for topping)
- Cooked rice and broccoli (to serve)
Before You Get Started: A couple notes to help you get the best results
How To Make Sticky Orange Peanut Chicken
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and spray a 7×10 baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Mix together kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika in a small bowl.
- Brush chicken thighs with olive oil and season with the spice mixture on both sides.
- In a small pot, combine orange juice, mirin, tomato paste, soy sauce, peanut butter, Korean chili paste, sesame oil, ground ginger paste, and brown sugar. Cook over medium/low heat until thickened.
- Place seasoned chicken thighs in the prepared baking dish and bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove chicken from the oven and brush the top of each thigh with the sticky peanut orange sauce. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Once cooked, remove chicken from the oven, drizzle with remaining sauce, and garnish with chopped peanuts. Serve with cooked rice and broccoli.
Variations & Substitutions
- For a spicier kick, add more Korean chili paste or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce.
- Substitute chicken thighs with boneless, skinless chicken breasts if preferred.
- Experiment with different nut butters such as almond or cashew butter for a unique flavor twist.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs?
Yes, you can easily substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts for chicken thighs in this recipe. Just adjust the cooking time as needed, as chicken breasts may cook faster than thighs.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the sauce and marinate the chicken ahead of time, then bake it when you’re ready to eat. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave or oven.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this Sticky Orange Peanut Chicken recipe is gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free soy sauce and other ingredients.
Sticky Peanut Orange Chicken
Let's talk about easy weeknight meals. This dinner is ready within 30 minutes & is packed full of flavor. The sauce has a delicious peanut flavor.
Equipment
- Small bowl
- Brush for chicken
- Oven
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken thighs with skin and bone preferred
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 cup orange juice
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 ½ tsp Korean chili paste
- 1 tbsp ground ginger paste
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp mirin or sub rice vinegar
- Topping: 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
- To serve: cooked rice & broccoli
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Spray a 7×10 baking dish with nonstick spray.
Prepare the Chicken
- In a small bowl, mix together the kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
- Brush the chicken thighs with olive oil and sprinkle the seasoning mixture on both sides.
Prepare the Sauce
- In a small pot, combine the orange juice, mirin, tomato paste, soy sauce, peanut butter, Korean chili paste, sesame oil, ground ginger paste, and brown sugar. Mix well.
- Cook the sauce over medium/low heat for 7-10 minutes until it thickens. Set aside.
Bake the Chicken
- Place the seasoned chicken thighs in the prepared baking dish and bake for 15 minutes.
Apply the Sauce
- Remove the chicken from the oven and brush the top of each thigh with the sticky peanut orange sauce.
- Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Enjoy!
Serve
- Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and serve with the remaining peanut sauce drizzled on top.
- Garnish with chopped peanuts and serve with cooked rice and broccoli.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 635kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 39gFat: 41gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 222mgSodium: 1669mgPotassium: 704mgFiber: 1gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 613IUVitamin C: 32mgCalcium: 44mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @TheSaltyCooker or tag #thesaltycooker!
Sticky Orange Peanut Chicken might sound fancy, but trust me, this recipe is way easier than it sounds! Plus, it’s absolutely delicious. Sweet, savory, sticky goodness – it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or even feeding a crowd.
