Guys, I gotta tell ya about this Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken I made last weekend. OMG it’s seriously the best chicken I’ve made in forever! My hubby practically licked his plate clean LOL. There’s something about that sweet orange with tangy dijon that just WORKS. I’ve been experimenting with grilled chicken recipes forever (cuz who wants boring chicken, right?) and this Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken is def the winner. The chicken stays super juicy and the flavor is just… chef’s kiss! Stick around and I’ll share my secrets for the most flavorful Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken ever.
Why This Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken Recipe Is Gonna Be Your New Fave
We’ve all had that sad, dry grilled chicken that tastes like nothing… ugh. Been there! This Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken totally fixes that problem. I actually came up with this recipe by accident when I was out of lemons and only had oranges in my fruit bowl. Total game changer!
My neighbor stopped by when I was grilling this Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken and legit asked for the recipe before even trying it cuz it smelled so good! Now she makes it like every other week.
What’s awesome is you can throw this together with stuff you prolly already have. Plus it works for like any occasion – random Tuesday dinner or fancy dinner party. The leftovers are amazing too if you’re into meal prep (which saved me during my crazy work week).
What You’ll Need for Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken
For That Amazing Marinade:
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (from about 2 oranges) – store-bought works in a pinch but fresh is way better for this Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken
- 2 tbsp orange zest – don’t skip this!! it’s what gives the major flavor boost
- 3 tbsp dijon mustard – get the good stuff, not that yellow squeezy bottle
- 2 tbsp honey – adds that perfect sweetness that balances everything
- 3 tbsp olive oil – helps keep everything juicy
- 3-4 garlic cloves all minced up – or more if you’re a garlic freak like me
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary chopped up – dried works too but fresh is bomb
- 1 tsp thyme leaves – again fresh is best but do whatcha got
- Salt n pepper – duh
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes if you want a lil kick
For the Chicken Part:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts – about 2 pounds total. You can totes use thighs instead for an even juicier Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken
- 1 orange sliced into rounds – for grilling and making things look fancy
- Extra chopped herbs for garnish – makes it look like you actually know what you’re doing lol
Pro tip for the BEST Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken: pound your chicken breasts to even thickness before marinating. Game changer for even cooking!!
How To Make This Killer Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken
Making That Flavor-Bomb Marinade:
- Grab a bowl and throw in your orange juice, zest, dijon, honey, olive oil, garlic, herbs, salt n pepper. If you’re feeling spicy add those red pepper flakes. Whisk it all together until it looks all mixed. The marinade should be kinda thick and smell AMAZING.
- Put your chicken in a ziplock bag or container with a lid. Pour that yummy marinade all over it. Squish it around so every bit of chicken gets coated. Chuck it in the fridge for at least 4 hours but honestly overnight is SO much better cuz the Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken flavor gets way deeper.
Grilling Time:
- Take your chicken outta the fridge like 30 mins before cooking. Cold chicken straight on the grill = bad news.
- Fire up your grill to medium-high heat (around 375°F). Clean those grates and oil em up so nothing sticks!
- Pull the chicken from the marinade but SAVE THAT LIQUID GOLD! We’re gonna use it. Shake off the excess but don’t wipe it all off.
- Slap that chicken on the grill and cook for like 6-7 mins on the first side. Don’t mess with it! Just let it do its thing until it releases from the grill without sticking. That’s how you know it’s ready to flip.
- While that’s happening, pour the leftover marinade in a small pot and bring it to a boil. Let it bubble away for like 5 mins until it thickens a bit. This is gonna be your amazing sauce for the finished Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken. (Boiling kills any raw chicken germs so it’s all good!)
- Flip the chicken and grill another 5-7 mins until the internal temp hits 165°F. In the last 2 mins, throw those orange slices on the grill too!
- Take everything off and let the chicken rest for 5 mins. Seriously, don’t skip this part! This is what keeps all the juicy goodness IN the Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken.
- Drizzle that reduced sauce over your chicken, top with those grilled orange slices, sprinkle some fresh herbs, and BOOM. Restaurant quality Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken right in your backyard!
Switch It Up! Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken Variations
Mediterranean Style
Add some chopped olives, capers and a sprinkle of feta on top after grilling. Totally different vibe but works amazing with the Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken base.
Maple Orange Dijon
Sub the honey for pure maple syrup. Gives it a deeper sweetness that’s crazy good in fall. Reminds me of my Hot Honey Roasted Chicken but with different flavor notes.
Herb Garden Explosion
If you’ve got an herb garden that’s going nuts (mine is currently taking over my yard lol), add in basil, oregano, and chives to the base recipe. The herbs + Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken combo is ridic good.
Citrus Blend
Try adding some lime or lemon zest along with the orange for a more complex citrus thing. Kinda like my Cilantro Lime Chicken but with the dijon kick.
Creamy Version
After grilling, make a quick pan sauce with some of the reduced marinade + a splash of heavy cream. Pour over your Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken and prepare for mind-blowing flavor. It’s giving Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken vibes but with orange instead.
Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken
Equipment
- Grill
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Ziplock bag or airtight container
- Tongs
- Small saucepan
Ingredients
For the Marinade:
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice about 2 oranges
- 2 tbsp orange zest
- 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp honey
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3-4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary chopped
- 1 tsp thyme leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)
- 1 orange sliced into rounds
- Extra chopped herbs for garnish
Instructions
- Make the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together orange juice, zest, Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place chicken breasts in a ziplock bag or container. Pour the marinade over them, ensuring they’re well coated. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight is best).
- Prepare for Grilling: Remove the chicken from the fridge 30 minutes before grilling. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (375°F) and oil the grates.
- Grill the Chicken: Remove chicken from the marinade (reserve the marinade). Grill for 6-7 minutes on one side without moving it. Flip and grill for another 5-7 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Make the Sauce: While grilling, bring the reserved marinade to a boil in a small saucepan. Let it simmer for 5 minutes to thicken.
- Finish & Serve: Grill orange slices for the last 2 minutes. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then drizzle with the reduced marinade. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Your Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken Questions Answered!
How do you marinate chicken on the grill with Dijon?
For killer Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken, mix up dijon with citrus juice (orange obvs), oil, herbs, and some sweetener. Coat your chicken completely and let it hang out in the fridge at least 4 hours or overnight is even better. When you’re ready to grill, don’t wipe off all the marinade – that’s flavor! Grill until you hit 165°F internal temp. Pro move: boil the leftover marinade to make a sauce you can brush on during the last few mins of grilling. Double flavor!
What is the orange chicken sauce made of?
The sauce for this Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken is way different from takeout orange chicken sauce! It’s basically fresh orange juice, orange zest, dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, garlic, and herbs all reduced down to concentrate the flavors. It’s not super thick and gloopy like Chinese restaurant orange sauce – it’s lighter but packed with flavor. The dijon gives it this amazing tangy depth that balances the sweet orange perfectly. So good you’ll wanna put it on everything!
Does dijon mustard go with chicken?
OMG yes!! Dijon and chicken are like peanut butter and jelly – just meant to be together! The tangy, slightly spicy kick of dijon cuts through chicken’s mild flavor and wakes everything up. In this Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken recipe, the dijon works with the sweet orange to create this perfect balance that’s to die for. If you’re digging this combo, you should totally check out my Chicken Gloria Recipe which has another awesome mustard sauce situation going on.
Do chicken and orange go together?
Heck yeah they do! Chicken and orange are one of those perfect combos that just works. The sweet citrusy brightness of orange makes boring chicken exciting. In this Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken, the orange juice actually tenderizes the meat while also creating this amazing caramelized exterior when grilled. It’s kinda similar to my One Pan Tuscan Chicken in how the flavors develop, but with that sunny orange vibe instead.
What pairs well with orange color?
If you’re serving this gorgeous Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken and want the plate to look amaze-balls:
- Green veggies pop against that orange color – think asparagus, broccoli, or arugula salad
- Purple stuff like roasted purple potatoes or red cabbage slaw gives major color contrast
- Neutral grains like quinoa or rice let the Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken be the star
- Herbs with dark green color add both flavor and visual appeal
- A side of Thai Chicken Bites works great colorwise if you’re doing a bigger spread
Perfect Sides for Your Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken
This Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken is super versatile! My fave combos:
- Grilled asparagus (throw it on the grill while your chicken rests!)
- Coconut rice – the subtle sweetness is PERFECT with the chicken
- Simple green salad with just olive oil, salt n pepper
- Grilled sweet potatoes
- Crusty bread for sopping up that amazing sauce (carbs don’t count when the chicken is this good lol)
For a complete meal that’ll make everyone think you’re a legit chef, serve this Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken with some herby couscous and grilled zucchini. Add a chilled glass of Pinot Grigio and dinner is SERVED.
Don’t Waste Those Leftovers!
If you somehow have leftover Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken (we never do cuz we devour it!), here’s what to do:
- Store in the fridge up to 3 days in a container with a tight lid
- To reheat without drying out: splash in a little chicken broth, cover with a damp paper towel, microwave in 30-sec bursts
- BETTER IDEA: slice it cold for the most amazing salad ever the next day
- Chop it up and throw it in some pasta with a little cream and parm
- Make the best sandwich of your life with some arugula and mayo
I actually sometimes make extra Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken on purpose just for meal prep! Just double the recipe and you’ve got lunches sorted.
Why This Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken Changed My Grilling Game
Not gonna lie, this Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken recipe has saved SO many BBQs at my house. My dad who always complains about “fancy food” had THREE servings last Father’s Day and actually asked me how I made it!
What’s cool about this Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken is it’s fancy enough for company but easy enough for a random weeknight when you’re sick of the same old dinner routine. The combo of sweet orange with that punchy dijon creates something way more interesting than plain old grilled chicken.
Make this recipe your own – add more honey if you like it sweeter, more dijon if you want more kick, whatever feels right! It’s all about creating food memories, and this Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken will def give you some good ones.
Don’t forget to check out my Hot Honey Chicken Biscuit recipe next if you’re into the sweet-savory chicken situation!