Best Citrus Chicken Recipes

CITRUS CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients in a large resealable plastic bag and refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving 1/4 cup for Glaze and put the chicken in a 13-by-9-inch pan and bake for 45 minutes. Baste with the Glaze, turn the pieces over and bake for an additional 15 to 25 minutes, basting every 7 minutes. Remove from the oven and arrange the chicken on a serving platter.
• In a small saucepan, over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. When the oil is hot add the shallots and ginger and saute for 3 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and reduce heat to a low simmer. Cook for 15 minutes. Baste the chicken with the glaze after 45 minutes.

CITRUS-MARINATED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine the first eight ingredients in a large resealable plastic bag. Add the chicken; seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours., Drain and discard marinade. Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 5-7 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 170°.

CITRUS-SPICE CARIBBEAN/CUBAN MARINADE FOR PORK, BEEF, CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a heavy-duty Ziploc bag or glass pan.
• Add your choice of pork, beef, chicken or fish.
• Marinate for at least two hours.
• Prepare in your preferred method of cooking.

CITRUS-MARINATED CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Set aside 1/4 cup sliced scallions. Pulse cilantro, garlic, citrus zests, citrus juices, soy sauce, oil, salt, and remaining scallions in a food processor or blender until a coarse purée forms. Set aside 1/4 cup marinade; place remaining marinade in a large resealable plastic bag. Add chicken, seal bag, and turn to coat. Chill at least 20 minutes.
• Preheat broiler. Remove chicken from marinade and place, skin side down, on a foil-lined broilerproof baking sheet; discard marinade. Broil chicken until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Turn; continue to broil until cooked through and an instantread thermometer inserted into the thickest part of thigh registers 165°F, 12-15 minutes longer. Serve chicken with reserved marinade and scallions.
• DO AHEAD: Chicken can be marinated 2 hours ahead. Keep chilled.

GRILLED CITRUS MARINATED CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Season the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper. In a non-reactive baking dish large enough to hold all the chicken to marinate, whisk together the vegetable oil, citrus zests and juices, cayenne pepper and the thyme. Add the chicken thighs and turn to coat. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to a couple hours in the refrigerator.
• Preheat the grill. Remove the chicken from marinade and let excess drip back into dish. Place chicken on the hot grill, without overcrowding the pieces. Grill until fully cooked through, turning occasionally, about 15 minutes total, depending on how hot your grill is. Serve immediately.

CITRUS-HERB ROAST CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Peel and cut garlic into quarters. Place chicken on a cutting board. Tuck wings under chicken. With a sharp paring knife, cut 24 small slits in breasts, drumsticks and thighs. Insert garlic in slits. Tie drumsticks together., Place potatoes and carrots in a shallow roasting pan; top with herbs. Place chicken, breast side up, over vegetables and herbs. Cut lemon and orange in half; gently squeeze juices over chicken and vegetables. Place squeezed fruits inside chicken cavity. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Pour broth around chicken., Roast until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads 170°-175°, 2 to 2-1/2 hours, sprinkling green onions over vegetables during the last 20 minutes. (Cover loosely with foil if chicken browns too quickly.), Remove chicken from oven; tent with foil. Let stand 15 minutes before carving. Discard herbs. If desired, skim fat and thicken pan drippings for gravy. Serve gravy with chicken and vegetables.

GRILLED CHICKEN CITRUS SALAD

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, whisk together orange juice, lime juice, shallots, garlic, chili powder, cumin, and sugar. Pour 1/2 of this mixture into a large, resealable plastic bag, and add the chicken breasts. Seal, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Refrigerate the remaining dressing.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat. In a large salad bowl, toss romaine lettuce with oranges, celery, and green onions. Set aside.
• Lightly oil grate, and place chicken on grill. Discard the marinade from the chicken. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes each side, or until juices run clear when pierced with a fork. Remove chicken from grill, and slice into thin strips.
• Toss salad with reserved dressing, and top with sliced chicken.

GARLIC AND CITRUS CHICKEN

Steps:

• Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F.
• Pat the chicken dry and sprinkle the cavity with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity with the orange, lemon, and garlic halves. Tie the chicken legs together with kitchen string to help hold its shape. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper.
• Place a rack in a large roasting pan. Place the chicken, breast side up, on the rack in the pan. Roast the chicken for 1 hour, basting occasionally and adding some chicken broth to the pan, if necessary, to prevent the pan drippings from burning. Whisk the orange juice, lemon juice, oil, oregano, and chopped garlic in a medium bowl to blend. Brush some of the juice mixture over the chicken, after it has baked 1 hour. Continue roasting the chicken until an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the innermost part of the thigh registers 170 degrees F, basting occasionally with the juice mixture and adding broth to the pan, about 45 minutes longer. Transfer the chicken to a platter. Tent with foil while making the sauce (do not clean the pan).
• Place the same roasting pan over medium-low heat. Whisk in any remaining broth and simmer until the sauce is reduced to 1 cup, stirring often, about 3 minutes. Strain into a 2-cup glass measuring cup and discard the solids. Spoon the fat from the top of the sauce. Serve the chicken with the pan sauce.

GRILLED CITRUS CHICKEN

Steps:

• Pour juices, olive oil, oregano, rosemary, garlic clove, and 2 teaspoons salt into gallon ziplock bag. Mix together.
• Add chicken breasts and allow to marinate in refrigerator at least 2 hours (overnight is best, though!)
• When ready to grill, season with remaining salt, pepper, and paprika.
• Grill until breasts are cooked through.

RED CHILE-CITRUS MARINATED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH GRILLED TORTILLAS AND AVOCADO-TOMATILLO SALSA

Steps:

• For the grilled tortillas: Brush each tortilla on both sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Grill for 1 minute on each side. Yield: 8 servings For the Avocado and Grilled Tomatillo salsa: Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper. Yield: 2 cups
• For the marinade and the chicken breasts: Whisk together all ingredients except olive oil in a large bowl until combined. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until emulsified. Reserve 1 cup of the marinade and set aside. Transfer remaining marinade to a large shallow baking dish, add chicken breast and turn to coat completely. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour in the refrigerator, turning once.
• Preheat grill. Remove chicken from marinade and season on both sides with salt and pepper to taste. Grill the breasts, skin-side down, for 4 minutes or until golden brown. Turn the breasts over and baste with some of the reserved marinade and cook for 4 minutes. Baste, turn and baste again, cover the grill and cook the breasts for 4 more minutes. Repeat the process once more for a total grilling time of 16 minutes, or until the chicken is well-browned and cook through. Remove the chicken to a platter, cover and let sit 10 minutes. Serve with Grilled Tortillas and Avocado-Tomatillo Salsa on the side.

SOY-SAUCE-AND-CITRUS-MARINATED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Chicken:
• Combine garlic, ginger, citrus juice, soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar in a medium bowl. Place chicken halves in a large resealable plastic bag and pour in marinade. Seal bag, pressing out any air. Chill at least 12 hours and up to 2 days.
• Place rack in top third of oven; preheat to 425°F. Remove chicken from bag; discard marinade. Pat chicken dry with paper towels; season lightly with salt.
• Roast chicken on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet until deep brown and cooked through, 30-40 minutes.
• Dipping sauce and assembly:
• Bruise lemongrass stalk by lightly crushing with a rolling pin. Bring lemongrass and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and let sit until very fragrant, 8-10 minutes; strain lemongrass infusion into a large measuring glass.
• Meanwhile, heat a large skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high. Toast shallots, scallions, chile, and garlic, tossing occasionally, until dark brown in spots, 8-10 minutes. Let cool. Remove skins from garlic and coarsely chop garlic with shallots, scallions, and chile.
• Add garlic, shallots, scallions, chile, and ginger to lemongrass infusion. Stir in fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar.
• Using a sharp knife, remove peel and white pith from pomelo; discard. Working over a medium bowl, cut along sides of membranes to release segments. Squeeze juice from membranes into bowl; discard. Tear segments into large pieces. Mix into dipping sauce.
• Transfer chicken to a platter, spoon some dipping sauce over, and top with cilantro. Serve with remaining dipping sauce alongside.

CHICKEN THIGHS WITH CUMIN, CAYENNE AND CITRUS

Steps:

• Preheat a gas grill, start a wood or charcoal fire or preheat a broiler; the fire should be moderately hot, and the rack should be about 4 inches from the heat source.
• Combine the garlic, onion, oregano, cumin, cayenne, cloves, salt, pepper and oil in a blender or small food processor, and blend until fairly smooth. Add the juices, taste and adjust seasoning; the flavors should be powerful.
• Smear sauce over chicken; if time allows, marinate 30 minutes or so. Grill 6 to 8 minutes a side, or until meat is nicely browned and cooked medium or better on the inside. (Thighs with bones will take longer, about 20 minutes total.) Serve, garnished with the cilantro.

SUNNY'S EASY 1-2-3 SPICE-RUBBED CHICKEN WITH CITRUS-HONEY GLAZE

Steps:

• For the chicken: Pat the chicken dry. With your hands, coat the chicken entirely with Sunny's 1-2-3 Spice Rub. Place in a plastic bag, press out the air, seal and refrigerate for at least 6 and up to 24 hours.
• Remove the chicken from the bag, place in one layer on a baking sheet or tray and refrigerate, uncovered, for at least 2 hours and up to 6 hours.
• Rest the chicken at room temperature for 2 hours. This is an important step, so you begin cooking the chicken when it is at room temperature. This allows the chicken to cook evenly throughout.
• Preheat a grill or oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the chicken over the indirect heat of the grill and close the lid. If using the oven, put the chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment or nonstick aluminum foil and place on the center oven rack. Cook for 30 minutes.
• For the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the juice, honey and chili flakes if using.
• Open the grill or remove the chicken from the oven and brush each piece liberally with the glaze. Quickly close the grill lid or return the chicken to the oven and cook until done and the chicken juices run clear, about 15 more minutes. Allow the chicken to rest, tented with aluminum foil, until the internal temperature registers 165 degrees F.
• In a bowl, mix together the cumin, paprika, pepper, chili powder and salt. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.

CITRUS CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch, ginger and cayenne. Stir in the orange juice, soy sauce, water, lemon juice, honey, garlic, orange and lemon zest until smooth; set aside. , In a large skillet, saute chicken in oil until no longer pink. Stir cornstarch mixture; gradually add to the pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with pasta if desired. Sprinkle with onions.

CITRUS BBQ CHICKEN

Steps:

• Put the chicken in a large resealable plastic bag.
• Whisk the ketchup, brown sugar, orange zest and juice, lemon zest and juice, garlic, Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and a few grinds of black pepper together in a 4-cup liquid measuring cup (or alternatively a medium bowl) until combined.
• Remove 1 cup of the sauce and add the remaining sauce to the resealable plastic bag with the chicken. Seal and toss the bag to evenly coat the chicken. Marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for 1 hour and up to overnight.
• Meanwhile, add the remaining sauce to a small saucepan. Bring the sauce to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes. Reserve reduced sauce for glazing and serving.
• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat.
• Remove the chicken from the marinade and allow any excess marinade to drip off. Arrange the chicken skin-side down on the grill, leaving some space between each. Cook until deep grill marks form and releases easily from the grill, about 4 minutes. Flip the chicken skin-side up. Cover the grill and cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of each thigh reads 165 degrees F, 20 to 25 minutes more.
• Brush the skin side of the chicken with some of the reduced sauce. Flip the chicken pieces and brush the other side of the chicken with the sauce and continue to cook, sauce-side down, for an additional minute. Flip and grill for 1 minute more. Transfer the chicken to a platter and let rest for 5 minutes.
• Serve the chicken with the remainder of the sauce.

GRILLED SPICED CHICKEN WITH CARIBBEAN CITRUS-MANGO SAUCE

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix the ginger, cinnamon, cumin, anise, and cayenne pepper. Rub the chicken with the spice mixture, and place in the bowl. Cover, and refrigerate 20 to 30 minutes.
• Combine 2 cups of water and basmati rice in a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, or until tender.
• In a small saucepan, mix the mango, orange juice, lime juice, and honey. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. In a small cup, mix cornstarch with 1 1/2 tablespoons of water until cornstarch is dissolved. Stir into mango mixture, and simmer one minute, or until sauce has thickened slightly. Stir in dark rum.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat. When grill is hot, brush the grate with oil.
• Grill chicken 6 to 8 minutes per side, until no longer pink and juices run clear. Serve over the cooked rice, and top with the mango sauce.

BAJA CITRUS MARINADE (CHICKEN OR PORK CHOPS)

Steps:

• Whisk or stir together all ingredients.
• Place meat in a rectangular shaped pan or dish and pour marinade over all contents.
• Turn and move pieces to ensure best coverage of marinade. (Turn halfway through if you are at home.).
• Marinate for 4 or more hours (or overnight).
• Grill until cooked thoroughly!

ROASTED CHILI-CITRUS CHICKEN THIGHS WITH MIXED OLIVES AND POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Cook potatoes in large saucepan of lightly salted water until almost tender, about 7 minutes. Drain.
• Meanwhile, place chicken thighs on large heavy-duty rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle chicken generously with salt; drizzle with 1 tablespoon lime juice and set aside. Whisk 1 tablespoon lime juice, orange juice, chili powder, both paprikas, grated orange peel, ground cumin, dried oregano, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in small bowl. Rub chili mixture all over chicken. Arrange potato wedges on baking sheet, nestling around chicken. Drizzle olive oil over chicken and potatoes. Bake chicken and potatoes 20 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 425°F. Turn chicken and potato wedges; spoon juices over. Bake 10 minutes longer. Add chicken broth, 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro, and chopped parsley, stirring to scrape up any chili bits at bottom of baking sheet. Turn chicken over. Bake until chicken is cooked through and beginning to brown in spots, about 10 minutes longer.
• Carefully transfer chicken and potatoes to platter, keeping potatoes intact. Place baking sheet over 2 stovetop burners. Boil sauce until reduced to 1 cup, about 3 minutes. Mix in olives. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper and additional lime juice, if desired. Pour sauce over chicken and potatoes; top with remaining tablespoon cilantro and serve.

CITRUS-MUSTARD ROASTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle, grind mustard seed to a powder; transfer to a small bowl. Stir in oil, chervil, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and pepper. Rub over outside and inside of chicken; place on a large plate. Refrigerate, covered, overnight., Preheat oven to 350°. Place chicken in a shallow roasting pan, breast side up. Loosely stuff chicken with orange, lemon, onion and parsley. Tuck wings under chicken; tie drumsticks together., Roast 1-1/4 to 1-3/4 hours or until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads 170°-175°. (Cover loosely with foil if chicken browns too quickly.) Remove chicken from oven; tent with foil. Let stand 15 minutes before carving.

GRILLED CHICKEN WITH CITRUS SALSA

Steps:

• In a shallow bowl, combine 1/4 cup of each of the lime juice, olive oil, and jalapeno slices. Rub chicken with salt and pepper, add to marinade. Add a dash of tequila. Marinate for at least half an hour.
• In a medium bowl, combine citrus fruit, scallions, tomatoes, remaining lime juice and olive oil, zests, salt and pepper, diced jalapeno, cilantro, tomatillos, and remaining tequila. Set aside.
• Remove chicken from marinade. Cook on a hot grill for about 5 minutes on each side, or until cooked through. Remove from grill and let stand 5 minutes.
• Divide greens among four plates. Slice chicken and arrange on top of greens. Spoon salsa over each salsa and serve immediately.