Thursday, February 26, 2009

Orange Chicken


I think everyone will agree with me when I say easy and quick weeknight meals are the absolute best. So when I find one that also tastes really good, I hold onto it for dear life and make it until we're all sick of it. And that's what I plan to do with this (sorry honey).

This dish comes together really easily, and it's one of those recipes that you have to do very little prep-work for. Just toss the cubed chicken in a flour mixture, then transfer to the pan to brown them up a tad. Next you combine the sauce ingredients and pour them into the pan. Then walk away for 25 minutes and get something else done. I love that because, trust me, there's always a LOT to be done in my house.

One note on the optional mandarin oranges. I used them to give it an extra pretty touch. But I think going forward I'll leave them out. It gave an overpowering orange flavor to the dish. Once I picked them out, it was perfect. Though if you're an orange lover, leave them in! They make the dish very sophisticated looking.


Orange Chicken
(adapted from This Week For Dinner)

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound)
1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 Tbsp. butter

For Sauce:
4 Tbsp. brown sugar
4 Tbsp. vinegar
2 cup orange juice
2 tsp. nutmeg
2 tsp. dried basil
1 small can mandarin oranges (optional)

1. Combine flour, salt and pepper in a plastic baggie. Shake chicken pieces well to coat. Lightly brown on both sides in butter in skillet over medium heat.

2. Combine sauce ingredients and add to skillet. Cover and simmer 25 minutes or until tender. Remove cover and allow to simmer for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken.

3. Stir in mandarin oranges, if using. Serve with rice.

6 comments:

CookingCourtney said...

I tried an orange recipe a while ago and it was horrible, way to tangy! This looks really good though, i like how its got basil in it, yum.

Cathy said...

I am in such desperate need for easy weeknight meals that it really isn't funny. Sounds like I can even get a kiddie bath or two knocked out while this one cooks! And delicious to boot? Can't wait to try it!

Elyse said...

Amen! Quick AND delicious. It's a blessing to find those recipes. I can't wait to add this one to my arsenal! Looks delicious.

Donna-FFW said...

I so enjooy and treasure onedish easy weeknihgt meals. I have to bookmark this one! It sounds delicious!

Sophie said...

This sounds so yummy and fresh! I really like that it doesn't have any sugar, just naturally sweet and flavorful ingredients :).

Alison @ Hospitality Haven said...

You should add this link as well to my "Taste the World" meme starting today! We're focusing on Chinese food, and this would fit well. :) http://alison.blogsome.com/2010/02/18/taste-the-world-intro/