Tropical Citrus Glazed Chicken
Embark on a culinary journey with our Tropical Citrus Glazed Chicken, where tender baked chicken meets the vibrant flavors of the tropics. This dish features succulent chicken pieces generously coated in a tantalizing blend of Dijon mustard and honey, enhanced by aromatic spices like basil, cinnamon, and paprika. The juicy harmony of fresh orange and pineapple juices creates a luscious glaze that bathes the chicken, making it both flavorful and visually stunning. Perfect for special occasions or a memorable family dinner, this recipe promises to transport your taste buds to sun-kissed beaches with every bite.
6
Servings
517
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chicken pieces
3 lbs (Cut into serving pieces)
Dijon mustard
4 teaspoons (None)
Honey
2 tablespoons (None)
Chopped onion
1/2 cup (Finely chopped)
Chopped green bell pepper or red bell pepper
1/4 cup (Finely chopped)
Butter
2 tablespoons (Cut into bits)
Dried basil
1 teaspoon (Crumbled)
Paprika
1 teaspoon (None)
Ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon (None)
Orange juice
1 cup (Freshly squeezed or store-bought)
Pineapple juice
1/2 cup (Fresh or canned)
Dark brown sugar
1/4 cup (Firmly packed)
Instructions
1
Position an oven rack in the center and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a small bowl, thoroughly mix together the Dijon mustard, honey, and dried basil to create a marinade.
3
Using your hands or a brush, evenly smear the chicken pieces with the marinade, ensuring all sides are coated.
4
Place the marinated chicken pieces skin side down in a shallow roasting pan or baking dish that accommodates them in a single layer.
5
Evenly sprinkle the finely chopped onions, bell pepper, and bits of butter over the chicken. Season with salt, freshly-ground pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon of paprika.
6
Pour the orange juice and pineapple juice around the chicken in the pan, taking care not to wash off the seasoning.
7
Bake the chicken for 30 minutes, basting with the juices once halfway through to keep it moist.
8
After 30 minutes, carefully turn the chicken pieces skin side up. Season again with salt and pepper, and sprinkle another 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon of paprika over the top.
9
Sprinkle the dark brown sugar evenly over the chicken, allowing it to caramelize as it bakes.
10
Continue baking for an additional 20 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and golden brown. Check the pan periodically and add a splash of orange or pineapple juice if it appears dry.
11
Once cooked, transfer the juices from the pan into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat, cooking until the sauce thickens to a syrupy consistency.
12
Serve the chicken with the delicious glaze spooned over the top, garnishing with fresh herbs if desired.
Nutrition Information
20g
Fat
42g
Carbs
40g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tropical Citrus Glazed Chicken?
Tropical Citrus Glazed Chicken is a baked dish featuring tender chicken coated in a blend of Dijon mustard, honey, and aromatic spices, then glazed with orange and pineapple juices.
What temperature should I preheat the oven to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What type of chicken is recommended?
The recipe calls for 3 lbs of chicken pieces cut into serving pieces.
What ingredients are in the marinade?
The marinade consists of Dijon mustard, honey, and dried basil.
Which juices are used for the tropical glaze?
The glaze is made using 1 cup of orange juice and 1/2 cup of pineapple juice.
What spices provide the aromatic flavor?
The chicken is seasoned with basil, cinnamon, and paprika.
How long should the chicken bake initially?
The chicken is first baked for 30 minutes skin side down.
When do I flip the chicken?
Carefully turn the chicken pieces skin side up after the first 30 minutes of baking.
How much total baking time is required?
The total baking time is approximately 50 minutes.
What is the purpose of the dark brown sugar?
The dark brown sugar is sprinkled over the chicken to caramelize during the final 20 minutes of baking.
How do I thicken the pan juices into a glaze?
Transfer the pan juices to a small saucepan and boil over high heat until the sauce reaches a syrupy consistency.
Can I use different colored bell peppers?
Yes, you can use either finely chopped green or red bell peppers.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 517 calories.
What is the protein content of this dish?
There are 40 grams of protein per serving.
How much fat is in this chicken recipe?
Each serving contains 20 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 42 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Should I use fresh or store-bought orange juice?
You can use either freshly squeezed or store-bought orange juice.
Is pineapple juice required?
Yes, 1/2 cup of fresh or canned pineapple juice is needed for the glaze.
What should I do if the pan looks dry while baking?
If the pan appears dry during the final baking stage, add a splash of orange or pineapple juice.
How should the chicken be placed in the roasting pan?
Place the chicken in a single layer in a shallow roasting pan or baking dish.
How do I keep the chicken moist while it bakes?
Baste the chicken with the pan juices once halfway through the first 30 minutes of baking.
What are the aromatic vegetables used?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of finely chopped onion and 1/4 cup of chopped bell pepper.
What kind of mustard should I use?
The recipe specifically calls for 4 teaspoons of Dijon mustard.
How much butter is used?
2 tablespoons of butter, cut into bits, are sprinkled over the chicken before baking.
What are some tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include tropical, citrus, baked chicken, glazed chicken, and healthy dinner.
How do I garnish this dish?
You can garnish the chicken with fresh herbs after spooning the glaze over it.
How much cinnamon is used in total?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon total, divided into two applications.
How much paprika is used?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of paprika, split into two applications.
Is this recipe suitable for special occasions?
Yes, its vibrant flavors and visually stunning glaze make it perfect for special occasions or family dinners.