Spicy Orange Chicken

Ingredients:

  • 1 package of chicken tenders, cut into bite size pieces (mine was 1.25 pounds with 7 tenders for reference)

  • 4 TBSP low sodium soy sauce

  • ¼ cup flour mixed with 1 TSP of crushed black pepper (black pepper is optional)

  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced

  • Juice from ½ orange

  • 2 TBSP hoisin sauce

  • 1 TBSP rice vinegar

  • 2 TSP of red pepper flakes (*optional — if you don’t like spicy, I highly suggest you omit this part, cooking the red pepper flakes adds intense heat)

  • 2 TBSP of toasted sesame oil (split 1 & 1 for use)

  • 3 TBSP of EVOO (split 2 & 1)

  • 1 package of white rice (I use the trader Joe’s frozen/microwaveable Jasmine rice)

  • Portobello mushrooms (I used one package and diced them up)

  • Broccoli (1 steamable size bag)

  • 1 red & 1 yellow bell pepper, diced into thicker pieces

  • Green onions for garnish

  • Sesame seeds for garnish

  • Orange zest for garnish

Directions:

For the Veggies:

  1. In a sauté pan or wok (I used a wok since it’s a lot of veggies), heat 2 TBSP of EVOO on medium heat.  Add all veggies, season with salt + pepper, and sauté for about 20 minutes; stirring occasionally. 

  2. Prepare and cook the chicken as the veggies are cooking.

For the Sauce:

  1. In a bowl mix together minced garlic, juice from orange, 2 TBSP of low sodium soy sauce, 2 TBSP of hoisin sauce, 1 TBSP of rice vinegar, 2 TSP of red pepper flakes, & 1 TBSP of toasted sesame oil.  Whisk together & let sit.

For the Chicken:

  1. In a bowl, mix cut up chicken tenders with 2 TBSP of soy sauce & flour mixture.

  2. Heat a cast iron skillet (or sauté pan) on a medium heat with 1 TBSP of EVOO and 1 TBSP of toasted sesame oil. 

  3. When oils are heated, add coated chicken pieces.  Cook until browned (3-5 minutes) tossing once after about 2 minutes. 

  4. Add the sauce mixture to the pan with the chicken.  The sauce will start to boil.  Lower the heat a little bit to allow the sauce to thicken. About 10 minutes.

Serve with white rice, 1-2 cups of cooked veggies, and orange glazed chicken and top with extra sauce as desired.  I also added orange zest from the orange I juiced, green onions and sesame seeds on top for garnish to mine!! ENJOY!!