Serrano Orange Chicken w/ Jasmine Rice

Recently I saw this recipe for Serrano Orange Chicken with Jasmine Rice in a Hannaford Magazine and decided to try it because I love orange chicken, hot peppers, & Jasmine rice, so why not mix them all together, right? I gave this a try after being outside most of the day on Friday in some unseasonably cold weather which made me look forward to spending time near a warm stove.

Servings: Serves 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes

Ingredients: 

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast cut into 3/4-inch pieces

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

3/4 cup orange juice

2 tablespoons honey

2 each serrano chili peppers, seeded, veined, and minced

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

1 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste

2 teaspoons minced garlic

2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce

2 tablespoons Olive oil, divided

1 cup sliced red and yellow bell pepper

2(8.5 oz.) pkgs precooked microwavable jasmine rice (such as Uncle Ben's)

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, coat chicken pieces with cornstarch. Set aside.

2. In another medium bowl, combine orange zest, orange juice, honey, serranos, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, garlic, and soy sauce. Whisk to combine. Set aside.

3. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add bell peppers and cook until slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

4. Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan and heat over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook about 5 minutes. Turn chicken and cook 5 minutes longer. Add orange sauce to the skillet. Toss to coat chicken, and cook until sauce is reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add bell peppers back to the pan and cook just until heated through, about 1minute.

5. Heat rice in microwave according to package instructions, about 1 1/2minutes.

6. To serve, divide rice among 4 bowls. Top with chicken and peppers and serve immediately.

 

Source: Hannaford fresh Magazine, September - October 2011

My finished product of Serrano Orange Chicken

I cooked up some jasmine rice on the stove-top rather than using the microwavable kind. The finished product was OK, but if I made it again I would double the Serrano peppers to add more heat/flavor or perhaps throw some dried japones chiles in there for some serious heat. I realized after making this dish that it was lacking something important: more veggies! It could use some broccoli florets, carrots, & maybe even some baby/mini corn. That would really make it better :) The orange glaze might be improved with some ginger & scallions as well.

Buffalo Chicken Bits & Jasmine Rice

Since I was still craving some heat on Saturday night I used leftover chicken and rice to make a dish of Buffalo chicken with thinly cut strips of celery. Yummy :)