Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and you may be thinking about what to do for your valentine(s). Why not make dinner at home? Restaurants are over crowded and you really can’t beat home cooking. Plus, it falls on a Tuesday this year and going out is not always ideal during the work week.
Commonly used in Asian cooking and often referred to as ‘Chinese BBQ sauce’, hoisin is such a versatile and delicious sauce. And this 20 minute Hoisin Orange Chicken is one of my all time favourite chicken dishes!
I have many staple dishes and this one is up there in my top 5. I have been making it for a very long time (I bought this cookbook nearly 20 years ago). I have made it with both pork and chicken, depending what I have on hand. It’s an easy chicken dinner recipe that can be served with some quick thin noodles (I used Chinese Chow Mein noodles that cook in 3 minutes) or brown rice and some steamed veggies (asparagus is quick and tasty and can be steamed in the microwave for 3-5 minutes- Here’s how to steam asparagus in the microwave ). It’s a healthy, delicious and elegant dinner for your Valentine(s)!
You’ll need something quick if you plan to make dinner when you get home from work and this meal can be whipped up in only 20 minutes, yes – 20 minutes! But you also require something that’s special enough for your sweetheart (s). I say sweetheart and valentine in the plural sense because I consider my kids my valentines and sweethearts too. And I like to include them in this special holiday, as any other. It’s all about love, after all.
And that’s why this recipe is 4 servings. However, it can always be reduced to 2 or you have leftovers for lunch or dinner the next day and really you can’t go wrong with that (just click on the servings in the recipe and it will automatically adjust). I actually double it so I can have leftovers.
By the way, it is kid tested, approved and highly recommended. A home cooked meal is a great way to show your love and this Hoisin Orange Chicken dinner is the perfect recipe.
For the month of January, I am hosting “Our Growing Edge,” a monthly link up for bloggers, with the theme “HEALTHY STARTS”. This recipe will keep you on track, even into February!
BLOGGING FRIENDS submit your healthy recipes here
However, if you want to indulge just a little, make this with my Raspberry Tiramisu Cutie Pies: Valentine’s Day baking in 20 minutes The nice thing about this dessert, is that it’s a mini dessert, so you don’t eat a lot of it.
Sauteed Hoisin Orange Chicken
Orange and hoisin flavours wed to create a mouth watering, quick and easy chicken dish.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts
- clove garlic or jarred minced garlic, minced
- 1 tsp grated orange zest
- 1/2 cup orange juice Note: I use whatever I have on hand. I prefer to freshly squeeze the orange juice, as you only need 1-2 oranges, but I will use Five Alive tropical juice boxes if that's all I happen to have in the house!
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- pinch red pepper flakes
Garnish:
- orange wedges or slices optional
- carrot cut outs/chips optional, chive sprigs and long Italian radicchio
Instructions
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In nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium - high heat: cook chicken, turning once, for a 8-10 minutes (this will depend on the thickness of the chicken breast) or until golden on each side and no longer pink inside. Transfer to plate keep warm.
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Add garlic to skillet; cook for 1 minute. Combine orange zest and juice, hoisin sauce and hot pepper flakes. Add to skillet and bring to a boil; stirring for 3 minutes or until thickened slightly.
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Return chicken to skillet, turning to coat ; heat through
Recipe Notes
Note: Serve with noodles and steamed asparagus (and while the chicken cooks, why not minimize the clutter and clean up by steaming some asparagus on top of the boiling water for the noodles?) Or steam asparagus in the microwave (see instructions in post above). Drizzle some of the sauce over the noodles for extra flavour!
Note: Adjustable servings available: Cut the recipe in half and it's perfect for 2 (just click on the serving number)
Looks divine!
Thanks! It’s super easy and fast too!
Looks divine!
Thanks! It’s super easy and fast too!
Yum! Chicken and orange are one my my favorite flavor combos. This is going on my “to try” list. Thank you!
Thanks – I hope you enjoy it!
Yum! Chicken and orange are one my my favorite flavor combos. This is going on my “to try” list. Thank you!
Thanks – I hope you enjoy it!
I love this! I tend to make complex long drawn out recipes and I need to start making meals that are quick and delicious. I will probably substitute mango juice for the orange or 5 Alive as that is when we drink most often. Looking forward to giving this a try.
Have a fantastic weekend!
Thanks Redawna! Yes, mango juice would work wonderfully too. I hope you enjoy it!
I love this! I tend to make complex long drawn out recipes and I need to start making meals that are quick and delicious. I will probably substitute mango juice for the orange or 5 Alive as that is when we drink most often. Looking forward to giving this a try.
Have a fantastic weekend!
Thanks Redawna! Yes, mango juice would work wonderfully too. I hope you enjoy it!
I love hoisin sauce ! I use it for stir fry, marinade, dipping…. The orange gives a refreshing touch to the dish, delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks-hope you enjoy it!
I love hoisin sauce ! I use it for stir fry, marinade, dipping…. The orange gives a refreshing touch to the dish, delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks-hope you enjoy it!
Hoisin really is the Chinese BBQ Sauce! I use it in a lot of my home made sauce recipes, such as my sweet and sour meatballs! So delicious! I’ll have to try this orange and hoisin glaze soon!
Thanks Markus. Yes, hoisin sauce is just so versatile- I have such ‘a thing’ for it too! I hope you enjoy it!
Hoisin really is the Chinese BBQ Sauce! I use it in a lot of my home made sauce recipes, such as my sweet and sour meatballs! So delicious! I’ll have to try this orange and hoisin glaze soon!
Thanks Markus. Yes, hoisin sauce is just so versatile- I have such ‘a thing’ for it too! I hope you enjoy it!