Orange chicken traybake

Orange chicken traybake: the midweek winner

There are recipes you cook once and then forget about, and then there are the recipes that deserve a permanent spot in your weeknight rotation. For me, this orange chicken traybake firmly belongs in the second category. I’ve been making it for years and was so happy to finally get the recipe into one of my cookbooks – Poppy Cooks: The Actually Delicious One Pot Cookbook. Juicy, golden chicken thighs roasted with sweet potato and crunchy veg, all coated in the most addictive sticky orange-soy glaze. Honestly, it’s the traybake of dreams.

And if you’re someone who craves a cheeky Chinese takeaway every single week, this one might just stop you from placing that order. We’re talking chilli sauce, dark soy, rice wine vinegar, garlic, ginger, honey and fresh orange juice all bubbling together in the oven until it clings to your chicken and caramelises. Add in a sprinkle of cashews, spring onion and chilli at the end and you’ve basically just levelled up your whole dinner game.

Why you need more traybakes in your life

They’re just so easy. Throw everything onto one tray, bang it in the oven, and you’ve got a complete meal with minimal effort. Less pans, less washing, less hands on cooking.

But just because it’s easy doesn’t mean it’s boring. In fact, I’d argue a good traybake is one of the best ways to pack in flavour, because all those ingredients roast together and share their juices. The chicken skins crisp up, the sweet potatoes caramelises and the broccoli chars at the edges beautifully. 

The sticky sauce that steals the show

What makes this traybake extra special is that sauce. Orange and chicken is an underrated combo, the citrus cuts through the richness of the chicken skin, while honey adds that gorgeous tacky glaze. It’s sweet, savoury, tangy and just a little fiery thanks to ginger and chilli. Basically, everything you want in a sauce.

And the best bit? It does all the work for you while roasting. No standing over the hob, no faffing with reductions, just mix it all up, pour it over and let the oven do its magic.

Serving suggestions for this baby

This dish is incredible on its own, straight from the tray (because let’s be real, who can resist pinching a bit before it even hits the plate?). But if you want to bulk it out or feed more people, here are some ideas:

• Serve with fluffy white rice or coconut rice

• Add naan or flatbreads

• Toss some extra roasted veg on the side if you’ve got a spare courgette or carrot knocking about

• Pair with a crisp white wine or a ginger beer for a proper midweek treat

Poppy vs leftovers

Full disclosure: I always think this traybake will leave enough for lunch the next day. SPOILER. It never does. The chicken is too juicy, the sauce is too addictive, and suddenly you’re sneaking back into the kitchen for just one more piece. And honestly? That’s the kind of recipe you want in your life, the one that makes people scrape the tray clean in a really uncouth kinda way.

From my kitchen to yours (and into my book)

This sticky chicken traybake is exactly the kind of recipe that inspired me to write my latest book: Poppy Cooks: The Actually Delicious One Pot Cookbook. One pot, one pan, minimal faff, maximum flavour, it’s cooking stripped back to what actually makes sense in our busy lives.

So consider this recipe a little freebie taster and a peek inside the vibe of the book. If you like this, trust me, you’re going to love the rest.

And in conclusion…

If you’re hunting for a midweek dinner that feels like a treat but doesn’t leave you drowning in dishes, this orange chicken traybake is the answer. Sweet, savoury, citrusy and a little spicy. It’s proper comfort food, but with enough freshness from the orange and greens to keep it balanced.

So grab your tray, load it up, and get ready for your new favourite chicken dinner. And look, if you do manage to save some for leftovers, I salute your self-control. I am yet to develop that.