This Grilled Chicken a L’Orange is a delightful choice. With a citrusy marinade and a rich orange sauce, this chicken is sure to impress. Let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Citrusy Flavor: The orange zest and juice add a refreshing and tangy taste to the chicken.
- Juicy Chicken: Marinating and grilling the chicken breasts ensures they stay juicy and tender.
- Delicious Sauce: The orange sauce is rich and flavorful, perfectly complementing the grilled chicken.
- Easy to Make: Simple steps and ingredients make this dish perfect for any occasion.
- Cuisine Type: American
- Servings: Makes about 4 servings
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 10-15 minutes
- Total Time: 55-75 minutes (including marinating time)
Ingredients:
For the Marinade:
- 1 orange, grated zest only (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 medium orange, about 1/3 cup juice
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 pinch cumin
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar (optional)
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 cup orange juice
Directions:
- Prepare the Marinade:
- In a 9×13 dish, combine the orange zest, orange juice, dry mustard, cumin, olive oil, and red wine vinegar (if using).
- Pound the Chicken:
- Spread out a sheet of plastic wrap about 2 feet long and place the chicken breasts on it. Spread another sheet of plastic wrap over the chicken breasts. With the flat side of a mallet, pound the chicken to an even 1/2 inch thickness.
- Remove the plastic wrap and place the chicken in the marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken:
- Cover the dish and allow the chicken to marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour. When ready to cook, preheat the grill.
- Prepare the Sauce:
- In a wide skillet, melt the butter over low heat and stir in the flour to make a roux. Cook this mixture over low heat for a minute or two until it bubbles.
- Add the sugar, cinnamon, dry mustard, and red wine vinegar. Stir until well combined.
- Whisk in the orange juice. Increase the heat to medium and stir until the sauce thickens.
- Lower the heat and cover the pan to keep the sauce warm while you grill the chicken.
- Grill the Chicken:
- Grill the chicken breasts just until cooked through, about 3 to 5 minutes per side.
- Serve:
- Place the grilled chicken on a heated platter, pour some of the orange sauce over it, and serve the rest of the sauce on the side. Enjoy!
Grilled Chicken a L’Orange
Variations:
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinade for a spicy twist.
- Herb Infusion: Add fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme to the sauce for added depth of flavor.
- Glazed Chicken: Brush some of the sauce onto the chicken during the last minute of grilling for a glazed effect.
Equipment:
- 9×13 dish
- Plastic wrap
- Meat mallet
- Wide skillet
- Whisk
- Grill
Storage:
Store any leftover chicken and sauce in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
What to Serve with This Recipe:
This grilled chicken a l’orange pairs wonderfully with rice pilaf, steamed vegetables, or a fresh green salad. It’s also great with roasted potatoes or couscous.
Tips:
- Even Thickness: Pounding the chicken to an even thickness ensures it cooks evenly.
- Marinating Time: Allowing the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes enhances the flavor.
- Sauce Consistency: Stir the sauce constantly as it thickens to avoid lumps.
FAQ:
Q: Can I use bone-in chicken breasts?
A: Yes, but adjust the cooking time as bone-in chicken breasts will take longer to cook through.
Q: Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can prepare the sauce ahead and reheat it before serving. Add a splash of orange juice if it thickens too much upon reheating.
Q: Can I cook the chicken in a pan instead of grilling?
A: Yes, you can cook the chicken in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked.
Approximate Nutrition Information:
- Calories: 350 kcal per serving
- Total Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sodium: 300mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 15g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 10g
- Protein: 30g
Grilled Chicken a L' Orange
Ingredients
- For the Marinade:
- - 1 orange, grated zest only (about 1 tablespoon)
- - 1 medium orange, about 1/3 cup juice
- - 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- - 1 pinch cumin
- - 1/3 cup olive oil
- - 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar (optional)
- - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- For the Sauce:
- - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- - 2 tablespoons butter
- - 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- - 1/2 tablespoon granulated sugar
- - 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
- - 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- - 1 cup orange juice
Instructions
1. In a 9x13 dish, combine orange zest, orange juice, dry mustard, cumin, olive oil, and red wine vinegar (if using) for the marinade.
2. Spread out a sheet of plastic wrap and place chicken breasts on it. Pound the chicken to an even 1/2 inch thickness. Place chicken in the marinade.
3. Cover and marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Preheat the grill.
4. Prepare the sauce by melting butter over low heat in a wide skillet. Stir in flour and cook until it bubbles.
5. Add sugar, cinnamon, dry mustard, and red wine vinegar. Stir well.
6. Whisk in orange juice. Increase heat to medium and stir until thickened. Keep warm.
7. Grill the chicken for 3 to 5 minutes per side until cooked through.
8. Serve the grilled chicken on a heated platter with sauce poured over. Serve extra sauce on the side.