Maple Orange Glazed Chicken Quarters
An incredibly simple and utterly delicious Maple Orange Glazed Chicken Quarters recipe. It’s so easy, you’ll be wondering where it’s been all your life, and it’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you just want a fuss-free, flavor-packed meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 quarters
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Aromatics
- 2.2 pounds chicken leg quarters (Approx. 1 kilogram)
- 3 oranges (Thinly sliced)
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
Maple Orange Glaze
- 2 oranges (Juice of)
- 0.25 cup olive oil
- 0.5 cup pure maple syrup
- 0.33 cup soy sauce or tamari (Use tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes (Adjust to liking)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Arrange chicken leg quarters in a single layer in a baking dish.
- Tuck thinly sliced oranges and fresh thyme sprigs around the chicken.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together orange juice, olive oil, maple syrup, soy sauce (or tamari), and red chili flakes until combined.
- Pour the glaze over the chicken, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
- Cover the baking dish and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably 2-4 hours.
- Place the covered baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
- During the last 15-20 minutes of baking, baste the chicken with pan juices.
- Let the chicken rest in the dish for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Pat your chicken dry before arranging it in the dish to help the skin crisp up. Don’t overcrowd the pan for even cooking and crispy skin. Marinade time is key for flavor depth, but you can skip it if short on time, though the flavor will be less intense. Basting is highly recommended for a sticky, delicious glaze. The marinade can be made up to a day in advance.