Orange chicken strips are a perfect main course when you’re short on time but don’t want to give up a tasty, light dish. Chicken breast, cut into small strips, cooks in just a few minutes and wraps itself in a creamy, fragrant sauce made with fresh orange juice, giving the dish a delicate and irresistible citrus note.
This is an easy and quick recipe, ideal for everyday dinners or a light but complete lunch, to accompany with seasonal vegetables or a simple side dish. With a few ingredients you’ll bring a fresh, family-friendly dish to the table.
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- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Budget-friendly
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 2People
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Seasonality: Winter, Spring
Ingredients
- 11 oz chicken breast
- 1 orange (large)
- 1 tablespoon rice flour (or another flour of your choice)
- aromatic herbs (oregano, thyme or others)
- extra virgin olive oil
- salt
- soy sauce (to taste)
Tools
- Pan
- Cutting board
- Citrus juicer
Preparation
Cut the chicken breast into strips or small pieces, removing any connective tissue.
Coat the meat in rice flour, or another flour of your choice (potato starch, cornstarch, semolina, all-purpose flour…).
Heat a pan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, add the chicken and brown it for a few minutes, adding a pinch of salt (1).
Squeeze the juice from the orange. If you have an orange with edible peel, you can also grate the zest.
Pour the orange juice, and the optional zest, into the pan (2). Cook the chicken, letting the sauce reduce until it becomes thick and creamy. If the pan dries out too quickly, you can add a little water.
At the end, add a generous pinch of oregano (or other aromatic herbs, mixed if you like) and, if you enjoy it, half a tablespoon of soy sauce.
The orange chicken strips are ready; serve them hot with their fragrant sauce. If desired, garnish with orange slices.
Tips and notes
You can use either thin slices or a whole chicken breast. If you prefer, you can also use boneless thighs or drumsticks (skinless), increasing the cooking time a bit.
You can add a clove of garlic or a chopped shallot.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Can I omit the soy sauce?
Of course, it’s optional. I add it because I find it balances well with the sweetness of the orange.
How should I store the orange chicken strips?
You can keep them for one day in the refrigerator, well sealed in a food container. Then simply reheat them in a pan.
