Oriental Sesame Chicken Recipe
Overview:
Indulge in the exquisite flavors of Asia with this tantalizing Oriental Sesame Chicken recipe. It’s a delightful fusion of sweet and savory, perfect for a weeknight dinner that’s both easy and impressive. This recipe serves 6 and takes approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes to prepare and cook.
Ingredients:
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 frying chicken
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 cup orange marmalade
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 can mandarin oranges
- 1 can water chestnuts
- 1/2 cup sesame seeds
Instructions:
- Preparation: Start by preheating your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC).
- Brown the Chicken: In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the frying chicken pieces and brown them evenly on all sides. Once browned, transfer the chicken to a 13×9-inch baking dish, arranging them evenly.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a saucepan, combine the orange marmalade, lemon juice, brown sugar, cornstarch, and soy sauce. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
- Cook the Sauce: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring constantly. Allow it to simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Coat the Chicken: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken pieces in the baking dish, ensuring they are well-coated.
- Bake: Place the baking dish, uncovered, in the preheated oven. Bake the chicken for approximately 50 minutes, or until it is cooked through and tender.
- Add Mandarin Oranges and Water Chestnuts: Once the chicken is almost done, add the mandarin orange segments and water chestnuts to the baking dish. Continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Final Touch: After baking, sprinkle the sesame seeds over the chicken just before serving. This adds a delightful nutty flavor and a crunchy texture to the dish.
- Serve: Remove the Oriental Sesame Chicken from the oven and serve it hot. Pair it with steamed rice or your favorite Asian-inspired side dishes for a complete meal.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 425.8
- Fat: 20.1g
- Saturated Fat: 8.3g
- Cholesterol: 77.8mg
- Sodium: 253.5mg
- Carbohydrates: 49.2g
- Fiber: 1.9g
- Sugars: 40.5g
- Protein: 15.6g
Recipe Notes:
- To make this dish even healthier, you can use skinless chicken breasts or thighs instead of a whole frying chicken.
- Adjust the sweetness of the sauce according to your preference by reducing or increasing the amount of brown sugar or marmalade.
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce.
- Don’t forget to garnish with fresh chopped green onions or cilantro for a burst of color and freshness.
Enjoy this Oriental Sesame Chicken recipe with your loved ones and transport your taste buds to the vibrant flavors of Asia! ๐๐ฅข
