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    Where Is My Spoon > Main Dish > Chicken and Turkey

    Chicken in Orange Sauce

    Published by: Adina February 22, 2016 · Last modified: October 11, 2021 20 Comments

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    An elegant orange sauce for chicken recipe. Pan fried chicken breast in a velvety sauce made with fresh orange juice.

     

    ORANGE CHICKEN SAUCE

    Make this beautiful orange sauce for chicken recipe for a quick, healthy and delicious dinner!

    I have a problem with this orange series: I've cooked 11 different recipes, sweet and savory, and I loved each one of them.

    And that is a problem, because I have a really hard time now in choosing those recipes that I will share with you. There are only 4 posting days left this month, so I really have to decide what to post now and what to leave for some other future occasion.

     

    Chicken with Orange Sauce

     

    INGREDIENTS FOR ORANGE CHICKEN SAUCE

    Oranges:

    • To make the orange sauce for chicken you will need about 200 ml/ 6.7 fl.oz/ about ¾ cup freshly squeezed orange juice and some orange zest.
    • Whenever I need the zest of oranges or lemons, I prefer to buy organic produce. However, either organic or not make sure to properly wash and dry the citrus fruit before zesting it.

    Chicken stock:

    • I usually use homemade chicken stock because I always have it in the fridge or freezer. However, you can use your favorite brand of chicken stock as well.

    Cognac:

    • The cognac adds a special flavor to the chicken in orange sauce. However, if you don't have or do not like to add alcohol to food, you can leave it out.

    Butter:

    • I used unsalted butter.

     

    orange sauce for chicken recipe

     

    HOW TO MAKE ORANGE SAUCE FOR CHICKEN?

    Start by making the orange sauce, it needs to cook a little bit longer than the chicken. But make sure that the chicken is cooked by the time the sauce is ready, you should serve the orange sauce for chicken immediately.

    1. Zest one orange, you will need about 1 teaspoon zest. Juice both oranges, you will need 200 ml/ about ¾ cup orange juice.
    2. Caramelize the icing sugar in a small saucepan.
    3. Add the orange juice and the chicken stock and stir to dissolve the sugar clumps.
    4. Add the orange zest, bring everything to a boil and reduce the liquid to half. This will take about 10 to 15 minutes.
    5. Add salt, pepper and 1 or 2 tablespoons cognac (to taste) and sieve the sauce through a fine mesh sieve.
    6. Pour the sauce back into the saucepan.
    7. Cut the cold butter into small cubes and give the cubes to the sauce, one after another, while stirring all the time.

     

    HOW TO COOK CHICKEN BREAST IN A PAN?

    Chicken is my favorite kind of meat, I eat it often and I have cooked it in a thousand different ways, but this way of cooking it kind of stands out.

    It is very simple and fast, you just cannot go wrong when making it, beside the chicken breast you will only need a few spices and the result is fantastic: the juiciest, best chicken breasts I know.

    And you can combine it with whatever else you like, different kind of sauces, potatoes or sweet potatoes, rice or noodles, any veggies you can think of, you can put it in a sandwich when cold or throw on top of a salad, there are really no limits here.

    1. While the sauce is cooking prepare the chicken breasts.
    2. If you have 2 large chicken breasts, slice them diagonally to obtain 2 thinner pieces.
    3. Place the chicken breasts between 2 layers of plastic foil and pound them using a meat pounder (I use the bottom of a small, heavy saucepan to pound the meat).
    4. Make sure that the chicken pieces are evenly thick all over.
    5. Sprinkle with paprika, salt and pepper on both sides. You can choose other spices if you wish.
    6. Heat the olive oil in a large, cast iron pan.
    7. Cook the chicken, 3 minutes per side or until cooked through. Do not overcook!
    8. Place on a warm plate, cover loosely with aluminum foil and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes or until the orange sauce for chicken is ready.

     

    orange sauce for chicken recipe

     

    OTHER USES FOR THE ORANGE SAUCE

    I think the main reason to have chosen this particular chicken recipe is the fact that this sauce can be made and enjoyed not only with chicken but also with fish.

    This fresh orange sauce pairs just as good with fish (salmon or another sort) as it does with chicken breast.

    And although I haven't tried, I am pretty sure you could also serve this sauce to duck breast or pork tenderloin.

     

    orange sauce for chicken recipe

    Chicken with Orange Sauce

    An elegant orange sauce for chicken. Pan-fried chicken breast in a velvety sauce made with fresh orange juice.
    4.85 from 13 votes
    Print Pin Share GrowSaved! Rate
    Course: Chicken Breast
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 433kcal
    Author: Adina
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    Ingredients 

    • Orange sauce:
    • 2 large organic oranges (you will need 1 teaspoon zest and 200 ml/ 6.7 fl. oz/ ¾ cup juice)
    • 1 tablespoon icing sugar
    • ¾ cups chicken stock
    • 1-2 tablespoons cognac to taste (optional)
    • 2 tablespoons cold butter 30 g/ 1 oz
    • fine sea salt and black pepper
    • Pan-fried chicken:
    • 2-4 chicken breasts depending on size (See note)
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • some sweet paprika or other spices of choice
    • fine sea salt and black pepper

    Instructions

    • Sauce: Start by making the sauce; it needs to cook a little longer than the chicken.
    • Oranges: Zest one orange; you will need about 1 teaspoon zest. Juice both oranges; you will need 200 ml/ ¾ cup orange juice.
    • Caramelize the icing sugar in a small saucepan. Add the orange juice and the chicken stock and stir to dissolve the sugar clumps.
    • Reduce: Add the orange zest, bring everything to a boil, and reduce this liquid to half. It will take about 10 to 15 minutes.
    • Sieve: Add salt, pepper, and 1 or 2 tablespoons cognac to taste (optional) and sieve the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve.
    • Add butter: Pour the sauce back into the saucepan. Cut the cold butter into small cubes and add the cubes to the sauce, one after another, while stirring all the time. The sauce needs to be served immediately.
    • Chicken: While the sauce is cooking, prepare the chicken breasts. If you have 2 large chicken breasts, slice them diagonally to obtain 2 thinner pieces.
    • Pound: Place the chicken breasts between 2 layers of plastic foil and pound them using a meat pounder. Make sure that the chicken pieces are evenly thick all over. Sprinkle with paprika, salt, and pepper on both sides. You can choose other spices if you wish.
    • Cook: Heat the olive oil in a large, cast iron pan. Cook the chicken, 3 minutes per side or until cooked through. Do not overcook!
    • Rest: Place on a warm plate, cover loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes or until the sauce is ready.
    • Serve immediately with the orange sauce, rice, and veggies of choice.

    Notes

    You will need 4 chicken breast portions of about 150 g/ 5.5 oz each.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1chicken breast with sauce | Calories: 433kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 497mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @adinabeck or tag #WhereIsMySpoon!

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jess @ Sweetest Menu says

      February 22, 2016 at 9:46 pm

      This looks really tasty! I can just imagine how the zesty orange sauce would make the chicken so tender and juicy. Yum!

      Reply
      • Adina says

        February 23, 2016 at 7:59 am

        Thank you, Jess. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Melanie @ Melanie Cooks says

      February 22, 2016 at 10:17 pm

      I'm used to orange chicken version that they serve in Chinese restaurants (small pieces of chicken in orange sauce). Never seen orange chicken in a form of a whole chicken breast, but I'm sure it tastes delicious! Makes me hungry!

      Reply
      • Adina says

        February 24, 2016 at 10:24 am

        Thanks, Melanie. I love the Chinese version as well, but never cooked it myself. I have to look for a recipe!

        Reply
    3. Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table says

      February 23, 2016 at 12:07 pm

      Loving the citrus series! Orange and chicken is a favorite combination and this simple sauce looks simply divine! I'm like you - we eat chicken ALL the time and I'm always looking for new ways to enjoy it and make it different - this looks like the perfect answer! (We also eat lots of fish, so I'll have to try this sauce on some salmon soon, too!)

      Reply
      • Adina says

        February 24, 2016 at 10:16 am

        I hope you try it, Kathryn, you can leave out the cognac for the kids.

        Reply
    4. Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says

      February 23, 2016 at 2:00 pm

      Beautiful and delicious, Adina! A dish that my family would enjoy a lot.

      Reply
      • Adina says

        February 24, 2016 at 10:17 am

        Thank you, Denise.

        Reply
    5. Kate @ Framed Cooks says

      February 23, 2016 at 1:36 pm

      So beautiful and so delectable looking! I always forget what a great combo chicken and fruit is - must try this one! Pinning!

      Reply
      • Adina says

        February 24, 2016 at 10:17 am

        I love chicken with fruits as well. 🙂

        Reply
    6. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

      February 23, 2016 at 2:27 pm

      This chicken looks delicious, dear! Not sure what the other dish was, but i'm glad you chose this one! LOVE that the orange sauce is so versatile! Dinner Deliciousness right here! Cheers!

      Reply
      • Adina says

        February 24, 2016 at 10:18 am

        The other dish was a whole chicken stuffed with oranges, I must post it sometime as well, it was yummy! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says

      February 23, 2016 at 2:47 pm

      This chicken looks super citrusy and delish, Adina. I bet it tasted divine.

      Reply
      • Adina says

        February 24, 2016 at 10:19 am

        I loved the tangy taste and the smoothiness of the sauce.

        Reply
    8. allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says

      February 23, 2016 at 5:03 pm

      Dear Adina, what a gorgeous dish!!! I love orange with chicken and the cognac was a surprise.

      Reply
      • Adina says

        February 24, 2016 at 10:20 am

        The cognac adds a special note, but it can be left out when cooking for kids. Or replaced with Sambuca if you don't care about using alcohol, I found that very exciting as well.

        Reply
    9. Angie@Angie's Recipes says

      February 23, 2016 at 8:39 pm

      I love that orange sauce! Had something similar before and I loved it. Gotta try your recipe next time. Thanks for sharing, Adina.

      Reply
      • Adina says

        February 24, 2016 at 10:21 am

        Thank you, Angie, I hope you like it!

        Reply
    10. Thao @ In Good Flavor says

      February 24, 2016 at 10:05 pm

      The orange glaze looks amazing and a wonderful way to add flavor to chicken. Such a nice pairing, Adina...and all done in 35 minutes is a plus!

      Reply
      • Adina says

        February 26, 2016 at 11:22 am

        Thank you, Thao.

        Reply

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    Hello! Where Is My Spoon is a blog where you will find delicious and family friendly recipes, all made from scratch. From simple healthy soups to sumptuous cakes for special occasions, all our recipes have been tried and loved by our family and our friends.

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