Monday, March 16, 2009

ORANGE CHICKEN

1 cup orange juice (reserve 2 Tbls. to mix w/cornstarch)
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 to 1/3 cup sugar (preferably Turbinado), to taste
2 Tbls. wine (I used white merlot, but use whatever you have on-hand)
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (more or less, depending on how hot you like your dish)
Zest of 1 orange, divided in half
1 Tbls. cornstarch

1 Tbls. olive oil
3 chicken breasts (preferably pre-cooked), thinly sliced
Veggies of your choice, approximately 2-3 cups (I use onion, red pepper, carrots, broccoli, & shredded cabbage)
2 cups hot, cooked brown rice


In small saucepan, combine orange juice, soy sauce, sugar, wine, red pepper flakes, & half of the orange zest. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 5-8 minutes. Keep warm.

Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet. (If using uncooked chicken, stir-fry it for 2 minutes, then add veggies. Pre-cooked chicken will be added later.) Add veggies--I add broccoli & cabbage after other veggies have been cooking for about 3 minutes--and stir-fry until tender-crisp. Add chicken & remaining half of orange zest. Stir-fry just until chicken is heated through. At this point, everything can be kept warm until ready to serve.

When ready to serve, mix remaining 2 Tbls. orange juice into cornstarch. Stir until smooth. Add to sauce & bring back to a boil. Reduce to simmer, & cook until slightly thickened. Do not overcook, or sauce will become a thick gel. Thin with water or orange juice if necessary.

Spoon rice onto plates. Top with stir-fry mix, & spoon desired amount of sauce over all. (You may mix sauce into stir-fry mix, but since some people like more sauce than others, you may wish to let everyone add their own sauce.)

Serves 4.

3 comments:

Ronda said...

Love, love, love this! It was perfect as the recipe is written. Loved the combination of sweet and spicy, and it was so much healthier than the Chinese restaurant version with breaded chicken. Thanks!

Pam said...

So glad you liked it! Here's what I did for my parents: I made extra sauce & froze it. You can then just stir-fry any chicken & veggies (even frozen) if in a hurry & have the sauce all ready.

Ronda said...

Great idea, Pam! I am making it again tonight!