Description
Skinny take-out orange chicken with jasmine rice delivers delightful Chinese-inspired flavors without excess calories. Home chefs can enjoy this lighter version of a classic takeout favorite with simple ingredients and easy preparation techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken tenderloins
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 2 tbsps green onions (sliced on the bias)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 tsps fresh ginger (grated)
- 2 tsps olive oil
- 2 tsps cornstarch
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 dried arbol chilies (deseeded (adjust to taste))
- salt and pepper
Slurry:
- 2 tsps cornstarch
- 2 tbsps low-sodium soy sauce
- ⅓ cup water
- zest and juice from 1½ oranges
Instructions
- Initiate rice preparation by combining Jasmine rice with water in a large pot, bringing to a rolling boil, then reducing heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook until grains become tender and fluffy, approximately 15-20 minutes.
- Slice chicken tenderloins into uniform bite-sized morsels, transferring to a mixing bowl. Incorporate sugar, half the minced garlic, cornstarch, and soy sauce into the chicken. Season with salt and pepper, thoroughly coating each piece and allowing to marinate briefly.
- Craft a flavor-enhancing slurry by whisking together remaining cornstarch, soy sauce, water, and freshly squeezed orange juice in a separate bowl. Set aside for later use.
- Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Introduce marinated chicken and Arbol chiles, sautéing for 4-5 minutes until achieving a golden-brown exterior. Incorporate red pepper flakes, remaining garlic, ginger, and orange zest, cooking until aromatic without scorching the garlic.
- Pour prepared slurry into the skillet, allowing sauce to thicken and chicken to complete cooking, roughly 6-7 minutes. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Plate the vibrant orange chicken atop a generous serving of Jasmine rice. Garnish with delicate green onion slices, additional orange zest, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for visual and textural appeal.
Notes
- Tenderize chicken beforehand by marinating in a mixture of soy sauce and cornstarch for extra juiciness and smoother texture.
- Zest oranges before juicing to maximize flavor extraction and ensure vibrant citrus notes throughout the dish.
- Control spice levels by adjusting Arbol chiles and red pepper flakes according to personal heat preference.
- Toast sesame seeds quickly in a dry pan for enhanced nutty aroma and deeper flavor before garnishing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 286 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 378 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg