Orange Marmalade Chicken

I often have people tell me they simply don't know what to cook, are unenthused about the process or straight out intimidated during meal time planning and preparation.  

I can sympathize with that sentiment, but being that I do enjoy cooking and the whole process from menu planning, purchasing groceries and getting down to the prep work, I feel that it's in my realm to be your advocate, encourager and mealtime mentor.

This delicious chicken dish reminded me that my millennial aged daughter (who happens to love to cook), told me that many millennials never really learned how to cook or grew up in households where perhaps their parents didn't cook often or if they did, the skills were not passed along.

So to all you who are feeling like a dear in the headlights and the very mention of cooking or meal planning, I offer you Orange Marmalade Chicken.  This is so wonderfully flavorful thanks to a super simple jam based sauce that bakes into and around the chicken,  leaving amazing  citrus essenced juices that you can drizzle back over the chicken as you serve. 

SUPER EASY INGREDIENTS

The sauce uses grocery store orange marmalade (yes, the cheap stuff is great), grainy mustard, garlic and Worcestershire sauce.  Seconds to mix up, pour over inexpensive chicken thighs and bake.  That's literally it.  It couldn't be easier.

HUMBLE, INEXPENSIVE CHICKEN THIGHS BECOME SOMETHING WONDERFUL

The tops of the chicken skin crisps up and gets slightly sticky as it bakes and is indeed finger licking good.  The chicken falls off the bone and is so succulent, slightly sweet and slightly savory. 

I'VE POURED OVER THAT MAGIC ORANGE MARMALADE SAUCE

I love to pair this chicken with sweet potatoes as when the sweet, citrusy juices mingle into your mound of sweet potatoes, it truly is a match made in heaven. Try my  Easiest Yummy Baked Sweet Potatoes or Chipotle Mashed Sweet Potatoes for the ideal side dish and serve a crisp salad on the side for the perfect easy dinner.


While this is a homey family dinner, I serve it to company as well.  It's that good.

HOW BEAUTIFULLY GOLDEN IS THIS CHICKEN?

Perfect casserole dish for roasting your chicken.

Pyrex measuring cups are divine for mixing this sauce in.

Orange Marmalade Chicken


Makes 8 chicken thighs but you can easily halve this if you want.


8 Bone in, skin on chicken thighs (about 6 ounces each). (you can also use chicken breast)
1/2 cup orange marmalade
2 tablespoons grainy mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (or soy sauce)
2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
2 teaspoons course sea salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon parsley, roughly chopped 


Preheat oven to 400.


Place chicken thighs in alarge casserole dish or baking pan with a lip,  skin side up.  Evenly sprinkle over salt & pepper. 


Mix together orange marmalade, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and garlic in a small bowl or measuring carafe.  Spoon evenly over chicken and bake for 30-45 minutes or until chicken is cooked through, falling off the bone and internal temperature is 165 degrees.


Sprinkle with parsley if desired for a touch of green and this chicken pairs perfectly with sweet potatoes like my Easiest Yummy Baked Sweet Potatoes or Chipotle Mashed Sweet Potatoes.