Easy 3-Ingredient Orange Chicken, Marmalade BBQ Style (Print Version)

Easy 3-Ingredient Orange Chicken brings sticky, sweet, and tangy flavors to your table with minimal effort. Perfect for busy weeknights! Get the recipe.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: None

# Ingredients:

→ Main Players

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
02 - 1 cup orange marmalade
03 - 1/2 cup your favorite BBQ sauce

→ Flavor Boosters (Optional, but Recommended)

04 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder

→ For Serving & Garnish

06 - Steamed white rice
07 - Sesame seeds
08 - Chopped green onions

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, let's get that chicken ready for our Easy 3-Ingredient Orange Chicken. Pat those boneless, skinless chicken thighs really dry with paper towels. Seriously, this step is critical for getting a nice sear later, and a good sear means more flavor! Then, cut them into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes. You want them uniform so they cook evenly. I always dread this part, but it's worth it for juicy chicken.
02 - Now for the ridiculously easy, yet incredibly flavorful, sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together your orange marmalade and BBQ sauce. If you’re adding the optional soy sauce and garlic powder (and you totally should!), toss them in now too. Give it a good whisk until it's all beautifully combined and smooth. It should smell sweet and tangy already; that's the good stuff!
03 - Time to get messy! Add your prepped chicken pieces to the bowl with the marmalade BBQ sauce. Toss everything together, making sure every single piece of chicken is thoroughly coated in that gorgeous, sticky mixture. Don't be shy; get your hands in there if you need to, or use a spoon. I usually end up with a bit of sauce on my nose, oops!
04 - Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the coated chicken in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper – trust me, parchment paper is your friend here for easy cleanup! Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is bubbling and starting to caramelize around the edges. This is where the magic happens for our Easy 3-Ingredient Orange Chicken.
05 - Once the chicken is almost done, if you want an extra sticky glaze (and who doesn't?), you can brush on a little more of the reserved sauce or even a tiny drizzle of extra marmalade during the last 5 minutes of baking. This really amps up that glossy, irresistible finish. Watch it closely, because marmalade can burn if it gets too hot!
06 - Once your Easy 3-Ingredient Orange Chicken is beautifully cooked and sticky, pull it out of the oven. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving; this helps the chicken stay juicy. Garnish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and maybe some chopped green onions if you're feeling fancy. The kitchen will smell amazing, like sweet and savory heaven! Dig in!

# Notes:

01 - Always pat the chicken dry for better browning and a more flavorful crust.\nLeftovers are fantastic for lunch, but reheat gently on the stovetop to keep the sauce nice.\nApricot jam works surprisingly well if you're out of orange marmalade – I've tried it, and it's a solid swap!\nServing with a sprinkle of fresh green onions adds a lovely pop of color and freshness.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Large mixing bowl
02 - Whisk
03 - Baking sheet
04 - Parchment paper
05 - Tongs (optional)

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 350
Total Fat: 15g
Total Carbohydrate: 30g
Protein: 30g

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