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Best Moist Chicken Breast with Orange and Thyme Recipe

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4.1 from 89 reviews

This Best Moist Chicken Breast Recipe with Orange and Thyme delivers tender, juicy chicken infused with fresh citrus and aromatic thyme. The recipe uses a paper bag cooking technique that seals in moisture and flavors, making the chicken incredibly moist and flavorful with a subtle sweetness from honey and a bright citrus tang.

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 3 servings

Ingredients

Chicken and Aromatics

  • 3 chicken breasts or bone-in thighs
  • 1 orange, thinly sliced
  • 1 lemon, thinly sliced
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • Unbleached parchment paper (for wrapping)

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Juice of ½ blood orange

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts or thighs dry with paper towels. This helps ensure good texture and better absorption of flavors.
  2. Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, honey, kosher salt, black pepper, and the juice of half a blood orange until well combined. This sweet and tangy sauce will keep the chicken moist and flavorful.
  3. Assemble the packet: Lay out a large sheet of unbleached parchment paper. Place the chicken pieces on the parchment, and drizzle the sauce evenly over them.
  4. Add citrus and thyme: Arrange the thin slices of orange and lemon on top of the chicken, then place the sprigs of fresh thyme over everything. These aromatics infuse the meat during cooking.
  5. Wrap the chicken: Fold the parchment paper over the chicken to create a sealed packet, ensuring the edges are well-folded so steam cannot escape during cooking.
  6. Bake the chicken: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the parchment packet on a baking sheet and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes for breasts or 30-35 minutes for bone-in thighs, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the chicken is tender.
  7. Serve: Carefully open the parchment packet to release steam. Serve the chicken with the citrus slices and drizzle some of the flavorful pan juices over the top for extra moisture and taste.

Notes

  • Bone-in thighs will take slightly longer to cook than boneless breasts; use a meat thermometer for best results.
  • If unbleached parchment paper is unavailable, you can use aluminum foil, but parchment is preferred for better steam retention.
  • The blood orange juice adds a unique flavor but can be substituted with regular orange juice if unavailable.
  • Rest the chicken for 5 minutes after baking before slicing to keep it juicy.
  • Author: Madelynn
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Low Fat

Find it online: https://allyumcooks.com/best-moist-chicken-breast-with-orange-and-thyme-recipe/