Orange Chicken Bites

Orange chicken bites are a tasty dish that combines the sweet and slightly citrus flavors of orange with the delicate taste of chicken. Here is an Italian recipe to prepare this delicious second course.

Ingredients

• 500 g of chicken breast, cut into bites
• 1 orange (juice and zest)
• Flour as needed for dredging the bites
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt as needed
• Pepper as needed
• 1 clove of garlic
• 100 ml of chicken broth
• 1 sprig of rosemary (optional)

Preparation

1. Start by flouring the chicken bites. This will help create a golden crust during cooking and thicken the sauce.
2. Heat the oil in a pan and add the garlic clove to flavor it. Once golden, remove the garlic.
3. Add the chicken bites to the pan and brown them until golden on all sides. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Meanwhile, wash the orange, grate the zest, and then squeeze the juice.
5. When the chicken is golden, add the orange juice and some grated zest. Let it evaporate and reduce the sauce by about one third.
6. Add the chicken broth and the rosemary if you decide to use it, cover the pan, and cook for about 10 minutes on medium-low heat, so that the chicken is well-flavored and the sauce slightly reduces.
7. Ensure the chicken is fully cooked (it should not remain pink in the center) before turning off the heat.
8. Serve the chicken bites hot, perhaps with a side of seasonal vegetables or pilaf rice.

Curiosity

Orange chicken bites are an example of how Italian cuisine can incorporate elements from other culinary traditions, in this case Asian, reinterpreting them according to its own taste standards and using typical ingredients such as olive oil and rosemary. The use of citrus fruits in the kitchen is very common in Italy, especially in the South, where the Mediterranean climate favors their cultivation.