I have so been looking forward to summer – not because our weather in San Diego is all that different – but because I get to share my favorite grilling recipes with my foodie friends like my new obsessive worthy sticky, sweet heat Honey Sriracha Orange Chicken!
After making this tender, juicy orange chicken bathed in Honey Sriracha Orange Glaze in the afternoon, I giddily ate it for lunch. I giddily ate it again for dinner.
That night, I couldn’t stop dreaming about its perfect sweet heat and had to polish it off for breakfast. The chicken all to myself was the only reason I was happy my husband was gone surfing in Mexico. That, and the fact that Patrick would also want to devour this Honey Sriracha Orange Chicken so I would get to make it again soon – very soon.
And when I say “make” this chicken – I use this term very loosely. Although this chicken tastes like you have slaved away for hours – it only takes minutes to whip up. It is the perfect easy weeknight meal but is drool worthy enough (and easy enough) for large crowds and entertaining.
The chicken is marinated in a sweet and spicy (but not too spicy) orange sauce which doubles as the tantalizing sticky Honey Sriracha Orange Glaze that you brush all over your chicken after grilling.
This is one of my favorite methods of cooking – to reserve some of the marinade, whisk it with cornstarch and it instantly becomes your glaze – double the flavor WITHOUT double work!
The to-live-for marinade/glaze is a harmonious concoction of orange juice, orange marmalade, honey, and splashes of lemon juice, sriracha, hoisin sauce (like Asian BBQ sauce), ginger, garlic, etc. Mmmmmmm…..Can you taste it now?!
This ingredient list might seem a bit lengthy but keep in mind, you are simply whisking the ingredients together and that is all your prep work for a total of maybe 5 minutes AND you have almost zero dishes – another fabulous thing about grilling.
Happy summer and happy grilling with Orange Honey Sriracha Chicken! It will meet you in your dreams.
Honey Sriracha Orange Chicken
Ingredients
CHICKEN
- 2 pounds chicken tenderloins or boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded thin
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
HONEY SRIRACHA ORANGE MARINADE/GLAZE
- ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- ½ cup orange marmalade
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons sriracha/Asian hot red chili sauce, more or less to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ginger powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
OPTIONAL GARNISHES
- green onions
- orange zest
Instructions
- Whisk the Honey Sriracha Orange Marinade/Glaze ingredients together in a medium bowl. Add ⅓ cup to a large freezer bag and whisk in ¼ cup olive oil. Add the chicken and marinate 60 minutes up to overnight in the refrigerator. Refrigerate reserved the glaze separately.
- When ready to grill, let the chicken sit at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes (time permitting).
- Meanwhile, grease and preheat the grill to medium heat, 375 to 450°F.
- Separate 3 tablespoons from reserved glaze into a small bowl. Add the remaining glaze to a small saucepan and whisk with 2 teaspoons cornstarch. Set aside.
- Drain the chicken from the marinade and pat dry. Grill the chicken undisturbed for 5 to 6 minutes per side, or until chicken is cooked through, basting with the 3 tablespoons separated glaze. (An inserted thermometer should read 165 degrees F when chicken is done.)
- Meanwhile, while the chicken is grilling (or after, if you don't have room on your grill), place the covered saucepan on the grill (this can also be done on the stove), and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, remove lid and whisk until thickened. Once thickened, brush the cooked chicken with glaze. Spoon the extra glaze over the plated chicken or use as a dip.
- Garnish the chicken with orange zest and green onions (optional). It's delicious served over rice.
Notes
- Hoisin Sauce can be found in the Asian section of your grocery store.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Here are a few more sriracha-themed recipes you might enjoy:
- Asian Sweet Chili Sesame Chicken, by Carlsbad Cravings
- Honey Sriracha Salmon, by Rasa Malaysia
- Honey Sriracha Noodle Bowls, by Carlsbad Cravings
- Crispy Orange Beef by Fifteen Spatulas
Hi! I couldn’t find orange marmalade, do you think I can substitute with apricot? Thank you!
That sounds good!
This is amazing! This is a weekly meal for us although we use chicken thighs instead of tenders… they come out so juicy and tender! Any leftovers (if there are any) get out into salads or on tacos!
This was amazing!!!! Only thing I would do would be to add a little more siracha because I love spicy. This is my new favorite chicken
What is the side dish it is served with in the picture? Some sort of fruit salad? It looks delicious! Is there a recipe for that? Or what else could be served with the chicken and rice? Can’t wait to make it!
Just a simple fruit salsa.
My life needs this to be a crockpot meal. What do you think about that possibility? Any major modifications needed? I’m really excited to get it done and into my mouth! ????
I’m not sure!
Where does the soy sauce, red wine vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, ginger powder, and onion powder come into play? Listed as ingredients but not in the instructions.
Where it says, “Whisk the marinade ingredients together.”
Hi Janet! If you like curry, then that would be a delicious layer of spice to add! I hope you enjoy with your son and lady love 🙂
Ah-Sriracha! You saved me. My son and his new lady love and family are coming to visit. This is exactly what I’ll make for dinner. Thank you. BTW: it might be good substituting curry for the Sriracha. But *i* wouldn’t like it as well. ????
I made this tonight, it was a HUGE hit! So yummy!
Excellent. I made plenty so I could have it at a later date.