Impress the Empress Chicken

Elevate your dinner table with 'Impress the Empress Chicken,' a show-stopping dish perfect for weeknights or special occasions. Featuring juicy, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, this recipe combines the crispiness of a golden sear with a luscious orange-ginger glaze that’s equal parts tangy, savory, and sweet. The glaze, made with soy sauce, honey, fresh garlic, grated ginger, and a pop of vibrant orange zest, caramelizes beautifully under the broiler for an irresistible finish. With simple techniques like oven roasting and a quick stovetop glaze, this recipe strikes the perfect balance between ease and elegance. Garnished with green onions and toasted sesame seeds, it’s a dish destined to dazzle. Serve it over steamed rice or alongside roasted vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal. Perfect for lovers of bold flavors and Asian-inspired cuisine!

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 6 pieces chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 0.25 cup soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 0.25 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon water
• 2 stalks green onions, sliced (optional for garnish)
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

Step 2

Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and season both sides with salt and black pepper.

Step 3

Heat a large oven-safe skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and place the chicken thighs skin-side down. Sear for 4-5 minutes without moving them to achieve a golden, crispy skin.

Step 4

Flip the chicken thighs and sear the other side for 3 minutes. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 20 minutes until cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C).

Step 5

While the chicken is baking, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the soy sauce, honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, orange zest, and orange juice. Stir well and simmer for 5 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Step 6

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water until smooth. Add this slurry to the saucepan and stir continuously until the glaze thickens slightly, about 1-2 minutes. Remove the glaze from heat.

Step 7

Once the chicken is done baking, carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Brush the thickened glaze generously over each chicken thigh, ensuring even coverage.

Step 8

Return the skillet to the oven and broil on high for 2-3 minutes to caramelize the glaze slightly. Keep a close eye to prevent burning.

Step 9

Remove the chicken from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds, if desired.

Step 10

Serve warm with steamed rice or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1196.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2654.9

Total Fat 171.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 43.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 846mg	0%
Sodium 5414.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 75.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 4.2g	0%
Total Sugars 58.4g
Protein 209.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 233.4mg	0%
Iron 11.8mg	0%
Potassium 2712.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 57.5%

Protein: 31.2%

Carbs: 11.2%