Chicken Breast A L'Orange
A flavorful chicken dish with a tangy orange glaze, tender carrots, and savory mushroom sauce, perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts, halved ⓘ
- 1/2 cup flour ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika ⓘ
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder ⓘ
- 1/2 cup shortening ⓘ
- 1 can (10 1/2 oz.) cream of mushroom soup ⓘ
- 1 can (4 oz.) whole mushrooms, undrained ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chicken broth ⓘ
- 1/2 cup orange juice ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar ⓘ
- 2 cups carrots, cut diagonally into 1/2-inch slices ⓘ
Instructions
- Shake chicken breasts in a paper sack with flour and seasonings until evenly coated.
- Heat shortening in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat.
- Place floured chicken in hot fat, skin side down.
- Cook until brown, then turn and continue frying until well browned on both sides.
- Pour off excess fat from the skillet.
- Blend remaining ingredients and pour over the chicken breasts.
- Cover and simmer over low heat for 1 hour or until chicken and carrots are tender.
- If serving is delayed, lower heat to warm setting to keep warm for serving.
Tips & Substitutions
To ensure even cooking, pound the chicken breasts to uniform thickness before coating them. If you're out of shortening, you can substitute with butter or oil. For a twist on flavor, consider adding a splash of soy sauce to the sauce mixture. To thicken the sauce, you can also whisk in a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with water towards the end of cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this dish over a bed of fluffy rice or alongside mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce. A fresh green salad or steamed broccoli makes a nice complement. This recipe pairs beautifully with Yummy Stuff for a complete meal experience.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover Chicken Breast A L'Orange in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to maintain moisture. Heat gently to avoid drying out the chicken.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Breast A L'Orange contains roughly 915 calories, with 50g protein, 157g carbohydrates, and 12g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (100% of the Daily Value), iron (66% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (51% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1990mg per serving (87% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use skinless chicken breasts for this recipe?
Yes, you can use skinless chicken breasts, but the dish may be less rich and flavorful. Consider marinating the chicken in orange juice for an hour beforehand to enhance the flavor.
What can I substitute for the cream of mushroom soup?
If you prefer not to use cream of mushroom soup, you can make a homemade version using heavy cream, sautéed mushrooms, and a little chicken broth. This will give you a fresher taste without compromising the dish.
How can I make this recipe spicier?
To add some heat, mix in a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the flour mixture before coating the chicken. Alternatively, you can serve with a spicy dipping sauce on the side to cater to different taste preferences.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).