Orange Chicken

Yesterday was Christmas Day. Normally we would be busy and I would be cooking up a storm. But this year was a quiet Christmas, with just Larry and I. So for us, it was just like cooking for any other day. No big, fancy meals or desserts. No stress. It was kind of like the scene from the movie “A Christmas Story”, when the family celebrated Christmas dinner in the only place that was open, the local Chinese restaurant, after the dogs ate their Christmas dinner. But we actually had Chinese food for our Christmas dinner by choice, not out of necessity. 🙂

Larry was in the mood for orange chicken. So that was our “Christmas dinner” this year. I served it over rice, and added some asparagus, with some potstickers on the side. Our Christmas dinner was completed with a sparkling Vinho Verde.

Orange Chicken

This is a simple, easy-peasy dish that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen preparing it. We all know that you didn’t though. it doesn’t take long to prepare this delicious dish.

2 large chicken breasts, cut into cubes

salt & pepper to taste

4-5 TBSP cornstarch, divided

olive or canola oil

3/4 cup orange juice

2 TBSP soy sauce

1 TBSP lemon juice or lemon balsamic vinegar – I used lemon balsamic vinegar

1/4 firmly packed brown sugar

1 TBSP orange zest

1/2 tsp ginger

1 TBSP garlic

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, or to taste

green onions, cut Asian style

sesame seeds for topping

1-1 1/2 cups cooked asparagus, optional

Cut the chicken into large cubes and thoroughly coat with the salt, pepper and 3-4 TBSP of cornstarch and set aside.

Combine all the rest of the ingredients together with the exception of the green onions, sesame seeds and cooked asparagus. Mix thoroughly.

Get a large skillet or wok very hot and add the oil. Cook the chicken for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until it is crispy on the outside and completely cooked. Cook the chicken in batches and do not overcrowd the skillet. Remove the cooked chicken, set aside and keep warm.

Turn off the heat and add the sauce mix. Stir it up and deglaze the pan. The skillet will be hot enough to cook the sauce and thicken it up. It will only take a minute or two. Re-add the chicken, and as well as some of the green onions, and the asparagus, if using and mix together well.

Serve over cooked rice and top with more green onions and the sesame seeds.

This dish has it all: The crispy chicken that is moist and tender on the inside; the sweet and tangy flavors of the orange juice and the brown sugar, with a hint of heat from the red pepper flakes; and plenty of texture and color to make it pretty and festive. It’s delicious. Enjoy it anytime, even as Christmas dinner. 🙂

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays and a happy, healthy New Year. Stay safe and stay well. ‘Til next time.