Let me tell you, orange ground chicken is one of my all-time favorite weeknight dinners! The moment that zesty orange sauce hits your taste buds, wow, it’s like a flavor explosion! I remember the first time I made this dish—my family couldn’t get enough of it! It’s not just delicious; it’s super easy to whip up, which is a lifesaver on busy nights. You get that perfect balance of savory and sweet, plus the freshness of ginger and garlic really elevates the dish. I love how versatile it is too; you can serve it over rice or toss it with noodles. Trust me, once you try this orange ground chicken, it’ll become a go-to in your kitchen too!
Ingredients List
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Salt, to taste
- Green onions, for garnish
How to Prepare Orange Ground Chicken
- First things first, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. You’ll want that oil nice and hot to get the chicken perfectly cooked.
- Once the oil is shimmering, add 2 cloves of minced garlic and 1 teaspoon of grated ginger. Sauté these aromatic goodies for about 30 seconds until they’re fragrant. Oh, the smell is just heavenly!
- Now, add 1 pound of ground chicken to the pan. Break it up with your spatula and cook it for about 5-7 minutes, or until it’s beautifully browned and cooked through. Don’t rush this step; you want that lovely color!
- While the chicken is cooking, let’s whip up the orange sauce. In a bowl, mix together 1/2 cup of fresh orange juice, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. Stir it until the cornstarch is fully dissolved. This sauce is going to be the star of the show!
- Once the chicken is cooked, pour that vibrant orange mixture over it. Stir well to coat everything evenly. Let it simmer for another 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken up and cling to the chicken. You’ll see it transform into something magical!
- Finally, garnish your dish with some chopped green onions before serving. And voilà! You’ve got yourself a delicious orange ground chicken dish that’s ready to impress!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to prepare—perfect for busy weeknights!
- A flavorful orange sauce that’s both sweet and savory.
- Ground chicken provides a healthy protein source that everyone will enjoy.
- Versatile dish—serve it over rice, noodles, or even in lettuce wraps!
- Kid-friendly and a great way to sneak in some citrus goodness.
Tips for Success
Alright, let’s make sure your orange ground chicken turns out absolutely fabulous! First off, don’t skimp on the freshness of your orange juice; freshly squeezed makes a world of difference in flavor! If you want to kick things up a notch, try adding a splash of rice vinegar to the sauce for a tangy twist.
Also, be mindful of the heat when cooking the chicken. Medium heat is key—too high and you’ll risk burning the garlic and ginger, which would be a total bummer! And if you like a bit of heat, feel free to toss in some red pepper flakes while the chicken cooks.
Lastly, don’t hesitate to experiment! Add in some diced bell peppers or snap peas for extra veggies. Cooking should be fun and creative, so let your taste buds guide you!
Nutritional Information
Here’s the scoop on the nutrition for each serving of this delicious orange ground chicken! Each serving (about 1 cup) packs in approximately 300 calories, with 10g of fat, 25g of protein, and 20g of carbohydrates. It’s a great source of healthy protein, which is always a win in my book! Just keep in mind that these values are estimates and can vary a bit based on the specific ingredients you use. So, feel free to tweak things to fit your dietary needs while still enjoying this tasty dish!
FAQ Section
Can I use chicken breast instead of ground chicken?
Absolutely! If you prefer chicken breast, just chop it into small pieces and adjust the cooking time until it’s fully cooked through.
What can I substitute for soy sauce?
If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, try tamari! It works great and still gives that lovely umami flavor. You could also use coconut aminos for a slightly sweeter taste.
Can I make this dish spicy?
You bet! If you love heat, add some red pepper flakes or a splash of sriracha to the sauce. It’ll add a nice kick to the sweet and tangy flavors!
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Just be sure to reheat gently to keep the chicken tender!
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes! This orange ground chicken is perfect for meal prep. Just make a batch at the beginning of the week, and you’ll have tasty lunches ready to go!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Got leftovers? No problem! To keep your orange ground chicken fresh and tasty, simply transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It’ll stay good for up to three days—perfect for quick lunches or easy dinners later in the week!
When you’re ready to enjoy those leftovers, I recommend reheating them gently. Just pop the chicken in a pan over medium heat, adding a splash of water or a bit more orange juice to keep it moist. Stir occasionally for about 5-7 minutes until it’s heated through. You can also use the microwave—just cover it loosely and heat in short bursts, stirring in between, until warm. This way, you’ll save that delicious flavor and texture that makes this dish so special!
Serving Suggestions
When it comes to serving orange ground chicken, the possibilities are endless! I love pairing it with fluffy white rice or fragrant jasmine rice—it soaks up that delicious sauce beautifully. For a fun twist, you can toss it with noodles for a quick stir-fry, or even serve it in crispy lettuce wraps for a fresh, crunchy bite. Don’t forget a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a little extra flair! Whatever you choose, this dish shines bright alongside these simple sides!
For more delicious chicken recipes, check out this creamy chicken recipe or this sweet and spicy chicken dish.
Z nadrukami
Orange Ground Chicken: 5 Reasons to Love This Recipe
- Całkowity Czas: 25 minutes
- Ustępować: 4 servings 1x
- Dieta: Bez Glutenu
Opis
A flavorful dish featuring ground chicken and a zesty orange sauce.
Składniki
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Salt to taste
- Green onions for garnish
Instrukcje
- Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and grated ginger; sauté until fragrant.
- Add ground chicken and cook until browned.
- In a bowl, mix orange juice, soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, and salt.
- Pour the orange mixture over the chicken and stir well.
- Cook for another 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Garnish with green onions before serving.
Uwagi
- Adjust sweetness by adding more or less honey.
- Serve with rice or noodles.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- Czas Przygotowania: 10 minutes
- Czas gotowania: 15 minutes
- Kategoria: Main Dish
- Sposób: Stovetop
- Kuchnia: Asian
Zasilanie
- Wielkość porcji: 1 cup
- Kalorie: 300
- Cukier: 10g
- Sód: 400mg
- Kwasy: 10g
- Nasycony tłuszcz: 2g
- Tłuszcze Nienasycone: 8g
- Tłuszcze trans: 0g
- Węglowodany: 20g
- Włókno: 1g
- Białko: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Słowa kluczowe: orange ground chicken, ground chicken recipe, Asian chicken dish