Make Ahead

Baked Israeli Chicken in CitrusĀ Juice

by:
February 12, 2010
4.7
3 Ratings
  • Prep time 30 minutes
  • Cook time 45 minutes
  • Serves 4
Author Notes

When I lived in Israel, a simpler version of this chicken, calling only for orange juice, was served as a holiday staple at Kibbutz Naot Mordechai, located in the Hula Valley. I had friends who found their way to Naot to stay and work, and I often visited them from my location in Tel Aviv. The kibbutz was famous for its raising of chickens, orange groves and production of shoes. Two out of three of those items make it into this dish. I added other citrus components to add a zesty, tangy flavor. This dish is easy to prepare, and you can change up the ratios of citrus you use to get the flavor you prefer. I serve this chicken with this couscous: https://food52.com/recipes...Bevi

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 2 each Chicken Breasts, split; thighs, and legs, skin on
  • 1 Pink or White Grapefruit
  • 2 to 4 Oranges that are juicy
  • 1 to 2 Lemon- Meyer or Eureka
  • 1 lime
  • 1/4 cup Honey
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoons Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon each sea salt and fresh pepper
Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Place the chicken skin side down in a 9x13 glass baking dish. Salt and pepper the chicken and set aside while you make the marinade.
  2. Juice all the citrus and pour into a mixing bowl. NOTE: You can play with the citrus juice ratios. Also, use various oranges, such as cara cara, etc.
  3. Add the honey to the citrus juices; mix well with a whisk to incorporate all the honey into the juice.
  4. Add the crushed red pepper to the honey and citrus marinade. Pour the marinade over the chicken and let sit for about 20 minutes.
  5. Place the chicken in the oven on the middle rack. After the meat loses its pink color (about 15 to 20 minutes), flip the pieces over with tongs so the skin side is facing up.
  6. Baste one or twice. If necessary, move the chicken to a higher rack so the chicken skin will brown. You can also move the oven heat to 400 degrees.
  7. Continue to baste several times; after another 20 minutes, the skins should be nicely browned. At this point, remove from oven and place the chicken breasts on a platter. Cover with aluminum foil to keep warm.
  8. Pour the hot marinade in a saute pan over high heat. Bring to a rolling boil, and reduce to a consistency of your choosing. I like my sauce syrupy but not too thick.
  9. Plate the chicken on a bed of Israeli couscous, regular couscous, or quinoa. Pour half the sauce over the chicken, and serve the remainder of the sauce on the side.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • checker
    checker
  • lapadia
    lapadia
  • Bevi
    Bevi
Bevi

Recipe by: Bevi

Cooking is an important part of my past. I grew up and worked on our family resort. These days, I cook good food to please my friends and family.

3 Reviews

checker April 4, 2011
This sounds like such a simple and delicious dish. I will have to try this soon. Thanks for sharing!
 
Bevi April 4, 2011
Thanks checker! I love to mix up the citrus ratios, and lately have used tangerines, cuties, and blood oranges.
 
lapadia June 8, 2010
Love the flavors, saved the recipe!