Introduction

Remember those Sunday dinners that just felt like a warm hug? The kind where the kitchen smells incredible and everyone gathers around the table, ready for a meal made with love? Well, get ready to recreate that magic with these Maple Orange Glazed Chicken Quarters. This recipe is so ridiculously easy, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it every week. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner when you’re short on time but still want something special, or for a casual weekend gathering that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Minimal prep means more time enjoying yourself.
Easy: Seriously, you just toss everything together!
Giftable: Imagine gifting a prepped dish to a new parent or a busy friend!
Crowd-pleasing: The sweet and savory glaze is a winner with everyone, from picky eaters to seasoned foodies.

Ingredients

2.2 pounds (about 1 kilogram) chicken leg quarters: These are wonderfully forgiving and stay moist, making them perfect for this recipe.
3 oranges, thinly sliced: We’re using the whole orange here – the slices add flavor and gorgeous presentation.
4 sprigs fresh thyme: Thyme and citrus are a match made in heaven!
Juice of 2 oranges: For that bright, zesty citrus kick in our glaze.
¼ cup olive oil: Our healthy fat base for the marinade.
½ cup pure maple syrup: The star of our sweet glaze! Make sure it’s the real deal for the best flavor.
⅓ cup soy sauce or tamari: Adds that savory, umami depth. Tamari is a great gluten-free option!
1 teaspoon red chili flakes: Just a little whisper of heat to balance the sweetness.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get this flavor party started! It really is as simple as it sounds.

First things first, grab a baking dish. It should be big enough to hold all those beautiful chicken leg quarters comfortably. Arrange them snugly in the dish.
Now, take those thinly sliced oranges and scatter them all around the chicken. They’ll roast and caramelize, becoming incredibly delicious. Tuck those fresh thyme sprigs in there too – their aroma is just divine.
In a separate bowl, let’s whip up our magical glaze. Whisk together the juice from two of those oranges, the olive oil, that lovely pure maple syrup, your soy sauce (or tamari!), and those red chili flakes. Give it a good whisk until everything is nicely combined.
Pour this delicious marinade all over your chicken leg quarters. Make sure every piece gets a good coating. Gently nudge them around if needed to ensure even coverage.
This next step is important for flavor development: cover your baking dish tightly. Pop it into the refrigerator and let it chill out for at least 1 hour. If you have the time, 2 to 4 hours is even better! The longer it marinates, the more flavor it soaks up.
When you’re ready to cook, preheat your oven to a nice, hot 400°F (200°C).
Uncover your baking dish and pop it into the preheated oven. Let it bake for about 40-50 minutes. You’re looking for that glorious moment when the chicken is cooked through, and the skin is beautifully golden brown and a little bit sticky and caramelized. I like to baste the chicken with the pan juices a couple of times while it’s baking – it really adds an extra layer of deliciousness!
Once it’s done, take it out of the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before you serve it. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, making the chicken extra tender and flavorful.

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is wonderfully versatile, so feel free to play around! Here are a few ideas:

Different Citrus: If you don’t have oranges, mandarins or even grapefruit can work for a slightly different flavor profile.
Herbs: Rosemary or sage would also be lovely companions to the chicken and citrus.
Spice Level: Love heat? Add a pinch more chili flakes, or even a dash of sriracha to the marinade. For zero heat, just omit the chili flakes entirely.
Veggies: Feel free to toss in some root vegetables like chopped sweet potatoes or carrots alongside the oranges before baking. They’ll soak up all those amazing flavors!
Soy Sauce Swap: If you don’t have soy sauce or tamari, coconut aminos can be a good substitute, though it’s a bit sweeter.

Tips for Success

A few little pointers to make your Maple Orange Glazed Chicken Quarters absolutely perfect:

Don’t overcrowd the pan: Make sure the chicken pieces have a little space in the baking dish. This helps them brown nicely instead of steaming.
Basting is key: Seriously, those pan juices are liquid gold! Basting a few times during the last 20 minutes of cooking will give you a beautiful, glossy finish.
Prep ahead: You can absolutely prepare the marinade and coat the chicken the day before. Just cover and refrigerate. It makes dinnertime even easier!
Check for doneness: The best way to know your chicken is cooked is to insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. It should read 165°F (74°C).

How to Store It

Leftovers are a good thing, especially with this recipe! Once the chicken has cooled down, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for about 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the oven or a skillet to bring back that delicious glaze.

FAQs

Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of leg quarters?
A: Absolutely! Chicken thighs will work wonderfully. Cooking time might be slightly shorter, so keep an eye on them.

Q: Do I have to marinate it?
A: While you can skip the marinating, I highly recommend it! It makes a huge difference in how tender and flavorful the chicken becomes.

Q: What kind of oranges are best?
A: Navel oranges are a great choice because they are sweet and readily available. Valencia oranges are also fantastic if you can find them!

Maple Orange Glazed Chicken Quarters

Easy and flavorful chicken quarters baked with a sweet and savory maple orange glaze, perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 50

Servings 4 people

Equipment

Baking dish large enough to hold chicken quarters comfortably
bowl for mixing marinade
Whisk
Meat thermometer

Ingredients

Main ingredients

2.2 pounds chicken leg quarters about 1 kilogram
3 oranges thinly sliced
4 sprigs fresh thyme

Maple Orange Glaze

2 oranges juiced
0.25 cup olive oil
0.5 cup pure maple syrup real deal
0.33 cup soy sauce or tamari tamari is gluten-free
1 teaspoon red chili flakes

Instructions

Arrange chicken leg quarters snugly in a baking dish.
Scatter thinly sliced oranges and tuck 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 all over the chicken leg quarters, ensuring even coverage.
Cover the baking dish tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or preferably 2-4 hours for more flavor.
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Uncover the baking dish and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and skin is golden brown and caramelized. Baste with pan juices a couple of times during the last 20 minutes.
Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheated gently in the oven or skillet.