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This sheet pan orange chicken is an easy 30-minute dinner with juicy chicken, tender broccoli and peppers, and a sticky homemade orange sauce that’s sweet, savory, and tangy. Everything cooks together on one pan for a simple, family-friendly meal that’s perfect served over rice.
Recipe At a Glance
- Ready in 30 minutes – perfect for busy weeknights
- One pan – the chicken and broccoli cook together.
- Simple homemade sauce – made with fresh orange juice, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger.
- Easy to customize – swap the chicken, vegetables, or grain based on what you have.
- Family-friendly – easily adapt the same meal for babies, toddlers, and adults.
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Table of Contents
Key Ingredients
I am highlighting just the ones that need further explanation. The complete list is in the recipe card below.
- Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken thighs stay juicy and tender in the high heat of the oven. Chicken breast works too.
- Broccoli and red bell peppers – Roasting it right alongside the chicken makes this an easy all-in-one sheet pan dinner.
- Orange juice and zest – the zest adds even more concentrated citrus flavor and really makes the orange sauce pop.
- Tomato paste – It might sound like an unusual addition, but don’t skip it! It adds richness and helps balance the sweet and tangy flavors.
- Honey – Adds sweetness and helps create that sticky orange sauce. You can also use maple syrup. If serving to a baby under 12 months, use date syrup instead.
Substitutions
- Add more vegetables: Snap peas, carrots, cauliflower, or zucchini would all be delicious. Cut firmer vegetables, like carrots, into smaller or thinner pieces so they cook through.
- Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free tamari in place of soy sauce.
- Change up the base: Serve the orange chicken with white rice, brown rice, quinoa, noodles, or another grain your family enjoys.
How to Make Sheet Pan Orange Chicken
Step 1
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Step 4
Serving Suggestions
For Babies
This is one of those meals that can easily work for the entire family with a few simple adjustments.
If serving to a baby under 12 months, do NOT use honey. Replace it date syrup instead.
Because soy sauce is high in sodium, you can also set aside some of the chicken and broccoli before tossing everything with the orange sauce. This isn’t about needing to make an entirely separate meal. Simply pull out what you need for your baby, then finish the rest of the family’s meal.
Cook the broccoli until it’s soft enough to easily squish between your fingers and serve the chicken in an age-appropriate size and texture based on your baby’s feeding skills.
Serving to Toddlers and Kids
If your child is hesitant about mixed foods or sauces, try serving this meal deconstructed. You can offer the chicken, broccoli, and rice separately and even put a little orange sauce on the side for dipping.
And remember, your child doesn’t have to eat every component for the meal to be worthwhile. Seeing, smelling, touching, and having foods on their plate are all forms of exposure.
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Made this with chicken for my hubby and tofu for the rest of us and it turned out great! Flavorful and great ingredients.
Aww so happy to hear that!!