Sweet Baked Life

Thinking about take-out tonight? Maybe you should re-think that! As I’ve got the perfect alternative — easy and sweet Orange Chicken. Just like the stuff you get at your favorite Chinese restaurant; only much better in my opinion!

My family is crazy about Orange Chicken. What about yours? But sometimes I get tired of the same old food, from the same old restaurants, and feeling the same way after eating there — full and bloated. So, I decided to make a more healthy version of our favorite Chinese dish at home.

You start by cutting up some chicken, lightly coating it, then you let it sizzle to golden perfection it in a bit of oil. After it gets nice and browned, you pour over a delicious orange and soy sauce concoction, let it simmer. While it’s cooking make some sticky white rice and your set.

Orange Chicken

For the chicken
2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil

For the Orange Sauce
1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
zest of 1 large orange
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup sesame oil
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Garnish: green onions, sliced, sesame seeds, and red pepper flakes

In a medium bowl mix the flour, cornstarch, salt and pepper and stir until combined. Start by placing your chicken pieces, a few at a time, into the flour mixture and coat using your hands. Shake off any excess and place the chicken pieces on a platter. Repeat until all of the chicken is coated.

Heat the oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken — make sure you have a large enough pan so that the chicken is in one layer. Let brown on one side, and then turn to get the other side browned and cooked through. This takes about 3-5 minutes per side.

As the chicken is cooking make the sauce: in a medium bowl, whisk together the orange juice, orange zest, honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar, cornstarch and ginger.

When the chicken is done, pour the orange sauce over the cooked chicken and stir to combine. Bring to a boil and let cook for about 1-2 minutes, or until thickened. Remove from heat and serve immediately over rice. Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds and red pepper flakes.

I’m sure your family will love this Orange Chicken — it’s pure sweet deliciousness for dinner!

(recipe adapted from Gimme Some Oven)