Zesty Orange Chicken and Rice Delight

Citrus Chicken and Rice Recipe 🍊🍗🍚

Welcome to Love With Recipes, where we bring you delightful dishes to satisfy your cravings and nourish your soul. Today, we’re excited to share a refreshing and flavorful recipe for Citrus Chicken and Rice. This dish combines tender chicken breast strips with the bright zest of oranges, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that will leave your taste buds singing. Originally inspired by a recipe from Allie0206, we’ve added our own twist to make it even more irresistible. Let’s dive into this culinary adventure! 🌟

Ingredients

To make this delightful Citrus Chicken and Rice, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 4 boneless chicken breast halves (about 1 1/2 pounds), cut into strips
• 1/4 cup orange zest (divided)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 onion (finely chopped)
• 1/2 cup long-grain white rice
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 8 orange slices (for garnish)

Nutritional Information

This recipe yields four servings, and each serving contains approximately:

• Calories: 405.2
• Fat: 8.7g
• Saturated Fat: 2.4g
• Cholesterol: 82.3mg
• Sodium: 401.8mg
• Carbohydrates: 43.4g
• Fiber: 1.2g
• Sugar: 4.2g
• Protein: 35.3g

Preparation Time

Instructions

Let’s embark on this culinary journey step by step:

1. Prepare the Chicken:

   • Start by seasoning the chicken breast strips with salt, pepper, and half of the orange zest. This will infuse the chicken with a delightful citrus aroma right from the start. 🧂🍊

2. Cook the Chicken:

   • Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken strips and cook until they are beautifully browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and keep warm. 🍗🔥

3. Create the Base:

   • In the same skillet, pour in the chicken broth and freshly squeezed orange juice. Add the finely chopped onion and the remaining orange zest. Stir well to combine all the flavors. 🥣🍊

4. Add the Rice:

   • Add the long-grain white rice to the skillet. Stir to ensure the rice is evenly coated with the broth and orange juice mixture. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. 🍚💦

5. Simmer:

   • Once the mixture is boiling, reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. This will allow the rice to absorb the flavorful liquid. 🕰️🍚

6. Return the Chicken:

   • After 10 minutes, return the browned chicken strips to the skillet. Cover again and cook for an additional 10 minutes or until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through. The rice should be perfectly fluffy and infused with the citrusy goodness. 🕰️🍗

7. Finish with Parsley:

   • Stir in the dried parsley flakes, giving the dish a lovely pop of color and a hint of herbaceous flavor. 🌿✨

8. Serve and Garnish:

   • Serve the chicken strips over the citrus-infused rice. For an elegant touch, garnish each serving with two orange slices and a sprinkle of orange zest. This not only adds a burst of color but also enhances the citrus aroma. 🍽️🍊

Tips and Tricks

• Freshness Matters: Using freshly squeezed orange juice and zest will elevate the flavors of this dish. The natural oils in the zest add a depth of citrusy aroma that can’t be matched by bottled juice.
• Rice Texture: Ensure you use long-grain white rice for this recipe as it cooks up fluffy and separate, absorbing the flavors beautifully without becoming mushy.
• Customize: Feel free to add other herbs like fresh cilantro or basil for a different twist. You can also add some chopped bell peppers or peas for extra color and nutrition.

Enjoy this delightful Citrus Chicken and Rice recipe with your family and friends. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner yet elegant enough to impress your guests. The vibrant citrus flavors paired with tender chicken and perfectly cooked rice make this dish a winner every time. 🍊🍗🍚

Bon appétit from Love With Recipes! 🌟❤️