These spicy roasted carrots with orange are the perfect combination of sweet and spicy. Serve drizzled with lime juice alongside grilled meat, sandwiched in a fish taco, or on a bed of arugula with avocado and pumpkin seeds.

Sweet and spicy is a flavor combination I simply can't get enough of. That's why a put a pinch of cayenne in my hot chocolate, drench my sweet potatoes in spicy sauce, and geek out over Thai food. Probably also why my stomach is rumbling as I type this despite the fact that I just ate lunch.

The sweet in this recipe for spicy roasted carrots comes from roasting the carrots in orange juice. Carrots have a hint of natural sweetness and roasting brings that out and when you add orange juice to the mix it brings it to a whole new level.

The spice comes from chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Have you ever cooked with these before? It's found in the Mexican food section in most grocery stores. Chipotles are simply smoked and dried jalapenos and they lend a smoky, spicy and complex flavor to foods. The adobo sauce is made from onions, spices, tomatoes and vinegar. Chipotles are pretty spicy, so most recipes won't need more than one, two at the max. I keep extras stored in a small container in the freezer and defrost as needed.

How to Make Smoky Spicy Roasted Carrots with Orange

This recipe for spicy roasted carrots is quite simple to make. Roasted vegetables are a simple, weeknight side dish, and it just takes a few minutes more to whisk up the spicy sweet sauce to roast these carrots in. To begin, the carrots just need to be washed and cut into batons. Usually I cut them in half lengthwise and halve the thinner bottom half and quarter the thicker top half, but that depends on the size of the carrot. As long as they are cut to somewhat even thickness, which ensures even roasting, it’s fine.

Another thing - don't peel the carrots. I never do, unless I'm serving them as a crudite, and then it's only for presentation purposes. Phytochemicals tend to accumulate around around the peels so you get more nutrients, and save time!

Next, whisk together the sauce of chipotle, olive oil, orange juice, zest, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Combine the carrots and sauce and bake for 30 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Yep, it’s that simple!

Spicy Roasted Carrots with Orange Serving Suggestions

This recipe for spicy roasted carrots and orange is a great side dish, especially for grilled meats. But you could also turn it into a starring ingredient - try these carrots sandwiched into a fish taco or served on a bed of arugula with sliced avocado, goat cheese and pumpkin seeds.

If you like this spicy roasted carrots with orange recipe, follow my simple side dishes Pinterest board for more cooking inspiration.

This recipe for spicy roasted carrots with orange has been updated to give you the best possible content.

Spicy Chipotle Roasted Carrots with Orange

Ingredients

1 lb carrots, preferably rainbow
1 chipotle pepper from canned, minced, plus 2 teaspoons adobo sauce
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Juice of 1 orange and zest
1/2 teaspoon cumin
Salt and black pepper
Microgreens for serving

Instructions

Preheat oven 400 degrees.
Cut the tops off the carrots, then cut in half lengthwise. Cut the thick part into quarters, lengthwise and the thinner part in half lengthwise.
In a small bowl, whisk together the chipotle, olive oil, orange juice, zest, cumin and season with salt and black pepper.
In a large bowl, toss together carrots and sauce. Spread evenly on a large baking sheet. Roast for 30 minutes until tender.
Serve garnished with microgreens.