Chicken in Orange Cream, Low Carb Diabetic Recipe
Welcome to Love with Recipes, where we celebrate the art of cooking with passion and dedication. Today, we are delighted to present a delightful and healthy recipe that promises to tantalize your taste buds while keeping your carb intake in check. The Chicken in Orange Cream recipe is a flavorful and aromatic dish that combines the succulent taste of chicken with the zestiness of orange and the creaminess of a rich sauce. This recipe is perfect for those following a low-carb or diabetic-friendly diet. Let’s dive into the details of this scrumptious dish.
Ingredients
To create this delectable Chicken in Orange Cream, you will need the following ingredients:
- Salt – 4 pinches
- Fresh ground black pepper – to taste
- Butter – 2 tablespoons
- Olive oil – 5 tablespoons
- Garlic cloves – 2 cloves, finely chopped
- Green onions – 3, finely sliced
- Dry white wine – 3 tablespoons
- Splenda sugar substitute – 2 tablespoons
- Dry tarragon – 1 teaspoon
- Curry powder – 1/2 teaspoon
- Sour cream – 3 tablespoons
- Chicken breasts – 4, partially frozen and thinly sliced
- Fresh orange juice – 1/2 cup
- Grated orange peel – 1 teaspoon
- Soy flour – 1 tablespoon
- Chicken broth – optional, to thin the sauce if needed
- Orange wedges – for garnish
Nutritional Information
This recipe serves four and provides the following nutritional information per serving:
- Calories: 650.4
- Fat Content: 38g
- Saturated Fat Content: 14.3g
- Cholesterol Content: 177.4mg
- Sodium Content: 229.5mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 7.5g
- Fiber Content: 0.3g
- Sugar Content: 2.3g
- Protein Content: 57.2g
Preparation Instructions
Prep Time: 0 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Prepare the Chicken: Start by keeping the chicken breasts partially frozen to make them easier to slice. Cut them into thin slices and then let them thaw completely.
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Season the Chicken: Once thawed, sprinkle the chicken slices generously with salt and fresh ground black pepper.
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Heat the Pan: In a large frying pan, melt the butter along with the olive oil over medium-high heat. This combination of fats ensures a rich flavor and prevents the butter from burning.
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Cook the Chicken: Quickly cook the chicken slices in batches, turning them until they are lightly browned but not fully cooked through. This method keeps the chicken very tender. Transfer the partially cooked chicken to a platter and keep it warm.
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Clean the Pan: Pour out the oil from the pan, wipe it clean, and repeat the process until all the chicken slices are browned.
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Prepare the Sauce Base: After cooking the chicken, pour off and discard any remaining drippings, but leave the browned bits in the bottom of the pan. These bits add a depth of flavor to the sauce.
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Combine Aromatics: Mix together the finely chopped garlic, sliced green onions, fresh orange juice, grated orange peel, and dry white wine. Add this mixture to the pan and bring it to a boil, stirring continuously. This deglazes the pan and incorporates all the flavors.
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Prepare the Cream Sauce: In a separate bowl, stir together the Splenda, dry tarragon, curry powder, and soy flour into the sour cream. This mixture forms the base of your creamy sauce.
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Incorporate the Sauce: Remove the pan from heat and stir the sour cream mixture into the wine and orange juice mixture. Return the pan to the heat and cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce comes to a gentle boil.
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Adjust Seasoning: Season the sauce to taste with additional salt and pepper. Add the previously cooked chicken back into the pan, tossing to coat the chicken slices with the sauce.
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Finish Cooking: Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for a couple of minutes until it is cooked through and the sauce has slightly thickened. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add a bit of chicken broth to achieve the desired consistency.
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Serve and Garnish: Serve the chicken hot, garnished with orange wedges. For an extra burst of citrus flavor, you can squeeze the juice from the orange wedges over your serving. However, be mindful of the carb content, as each wedge adds approximately 3-5 grams of carbohydrates.
Tips for Success
- Partially Freezing the Chicken: Partially freezing the chicken breasts makes slicing them thinly much easier. This step is crucial for ensuring uniform cooking and tenderness.
- Batch Cooking: Cooking the chicken in batches prevents overcrowding in the pan, which ensures even browning and prevents the chicken from steaming instead of searing.
- Deglazing the Pan: The browned bits left in the pan after cooking the chicken are packed with flavor. Deglazing the pan with the orange juice and wine lifts these bits and incorporates their flavor into the sauce.
- Balancing Flavors: The combination of orange juice, dry white wine, and sour cream creates a balanced sauce that is tangy, creamy, and slightly sweet. Adjust the seasoning to your taste, keeping in mind that a little salt can enhance the sweetness of the orange and the richness of the sour cream.
- Thickening the Sauce: If the sauce is too thin, let it simmer a bit longer until it reaches the desired consistency. Conversely, if it is too thick, adding a splash of chicken broth can thin it out.
Pairing Suggestions
To complement the flavors of this dish, consider pairing it with:
- Steamed Vegetables: Broccoli, green beans, or asparagus would add a healthy and crunchy contrast to the creamy sauce.
- Cauliflower Rice: A low-carb alternative to regular rice, cauliflower rice absorbs the flavorful sauce beautifully without adding extra carbohydrates.
- Zucchini Noodles: Light and fresh, zucchini noodles (or zoodles) are a great way to enjoy a pasta-like experience while keeping the carb count low.
Health Benefits
This Chicken in Orange Cream recipe is tailored for those on a low-carb or diabetic-friendly diet. Here are some of the health benefits associated with this dish:
- High Protein: With 57.2 grams of protein per serving, this dish supports muscle maintenance and growth while keeping you satiated.
- Low Carbohydrate: With only 7.5 grams of carbohydrates per serving, this recipe helps maintain stable blood sugar levels.
- Healthy Fats: The combination of butter and olive oil provides healthy fats that are essential for various bodily functions, including hormone production and nutrient absorption.
- Antioxidants: The orange juice and peel are rich in antioxidants, which help combat oxidative stress and support overall health.
- Herbs and Spices: Tarragon and curry powder not only enhance the flavor but also offer potential anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits.
Conclusion
This Chicken in Orange Cream recipe is a delightful blend of flavors and textures, perfect for a quick and healthy meal. With its creamy sauce, aromatic herbs, and the bright zest of orange, it is sure to become a favorite in your culinary repertoire. Whether you are cooking for yourself, your family, or friends, this dish promises to deliver satisfaction and nourishment in every bite. Enjoy the journey of creating this delicious meal and savor the love made visible through your cooking.
