Chicken Breasts With Orange Sauce
Juicy chicken breasts simmered in a flavorful orange sauce with warm spices, perfect for a comforting yet elegant meal suitable for family dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Sprinkle chicken breasts with 1/4 teaspoon of salt if desired.
- Melt margarine in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add chicken breasts and brown both sides.
- Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Add flour, sugar, dry mustard, cinnamon, ginger, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt to the drippings in the pan.
- Stir to create a smooth paste.
- Gradually add orange juice mixed with chicken broth, cooking and stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and boils.
- Return chicken breasts to the skillet.
- Cover and simmer over low heat until the chicken is tender, about 25 to 30 minutes.
- Serve with hot cooked rice if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken breasts in orange juice for a couple of hours before cooking. If you don’t have margarine, you can use butter or olive oil instead. To thicken the sauce more, mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with cold water and add it to the simmering sauce. This dish pairs beautifully with Chicken Salad Log for a delightful meal.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the chicken with hot cooked rice or alongside steamed vegetables for a balanced meal. A fresh green salad would also complement the dish nicely. For a complete dinner experience, consider pairing it with Chicken Noodle Pilaf for a delicious combination of flavors and textures.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the chicken and sauce in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or orange juice to keep it moist. Stir gently until heated through. Avoid reheating in the microwave as it can dry out the chicken.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Breasts With Orange Sauce contains roughly 275 calories, with 7g protein, 57g carbohydrates, and 3g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (30% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber and iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1941mg per serving (84% 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 frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts, but make sure to thaw them completely before cooking for even cooking. A quick defrost in cold water or in the refrigerator overnight works well.
What can I substitute for orange juice?
If you don't have orange juice, you can use grapefruit juice or a mixture of lemon juice and a little sugar for sweetness. This will give a different, yet refreshing flavor to the sauce.
How can I make this dish healthier?
To make this dish healthier, consider using skinless chicken breasts and reducing the amount of margarine. You can also add more vegetables to the sauce, such as bell peppers or spinach, to increase the nutritional value.
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).