Citrus-Honey Chicken
A vibrant citrus-honey chicken dish featuring tender, thinly pounded breasts cooked with fresh mushrooms and a tangy orange glaze, perfect for a flavorful dinner option.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
- 1 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel
- 1/2 cup orange juice ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar ⓘ
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon honey ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon instant chicken bouillon granules ⓘ
- dash of white pepper ⓘ
- 1 cup sliced fresh shiitake or button mushrooms ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon margarine or butter ⓘ
- 4 ounces tomato linguine and/or plain linguine ⓘ
- orange slices, halved (optional) ⓘ
Instructions
- Rinse the chicken breasts and pat dry with paper towels.
- Place each chicken breast half between two pieces of plastic wrap.
- Using a meat mallet, pound each breast from center to edges until 1/8-inch thick.
- Remove the plastic wrap from the chicken.
- In a small bowl, combine orange juice, balsamic vinegar, cornstarch, honey, chicken bouillon, and white pepper to make the sauce.
- In a skillet, melt margarine or butter over medium heat.
- Add sliced mushrooms and cook until tender.
- Push mushrooms to one side of the skillet.
- Add the prepared chicken breasts to the skillet and cook until lightly browned and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Pour the citrus-honey sauce over the chicken and mushrooms.
- Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
- Serve the chicken with cooked linguine, garnished with orange slices if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the citrus flavor, consider adding a splash of lemon juice to the sauce. If you don't have cornstarch, flour can be used as a thickener, though it may alter the sauce's clarity. For a twist, try substituting the chicken with thinly sliced pork tenderloin. Make sure to keep the chicken at room temperature for about 15 minutes before cooking for even cooking throughout.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Citrus-Honey Chicken over a bed of tomato linguine or plain linguine for a delightful meal. Pair it with a fresh green salad or steamed broccoli for a refreshing contrast. This dish also pairs beautifully with Chicken Divan(Makes 6 To 8 Servings) for a comforting dinner spread.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover Citrus-Honey Chicken 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, stirring occasionally until warmed through. Alternatively, you can microwave it in short intervals, ensuring it does not dry out.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Citrus-Honey Chicken contains roughly 555 calories, with 1g protein, 33g carbohydrates, and 49g fat. It is a good source of vitamin C (13% 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 it's best to thaw them completely in the refrigerator before cooking. This ensures even cooking and better texture. If you're short on time, you can use the defrost setting on your microwave, but be cautious not to start cooking the chicken.
What can I substitute for the orange juice?
If you don't have orange juice on hand, you can substitute it with pineapple juice or a mixture of lemon and lime juice. Keep in mind that these alternatives will change the flavor profile slightly, but they can still provide a deliciously tangy sauce.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To add some heat to your Citrus-Honey Chicken, consider incorporating red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce into the sauce mixture. You can also serve it with a side of spicy sautéed vegetables, which will complement the sweetness of the honey and citrus nicely.
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).