Skillet Orange Chicken Food

CHINESE ORANGE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Start the chicken:
• In a shallow, medium bowl toss the chicken pieces with the soy sauce and wine. Let stand while you make the sauce.
• Make the orange sauce:
• Using a vegetable peeler, remove 4 lengthwise strips of zest from 1 orange-each strip should be about 3/4 inch wide and 3 1/2 to 4 inches long. Arrange the zest in one layer between paper towels and microwave on high in 20-second increments until dry and brittle but not browned, 60 to 80 seconds total. Let the zest cool then finely chop it. If desired, use a Microplane to remove some of the remaining zest from the orange and reserve it for garnish. (If desired, zest the second orange for additional garnish.)
• Squeeze enough juice from both oranges to measure 1/2 cup. In a small bowl, whisk together the juice and 2 teaspoons cornstarch until the cornstarch is dissolved.
• In a 10-inch skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking. Add the garlic, ginger, crushed red pepper, and dried orange zest and stir-fry until golden, about 30 seconds. Add the soy sauce, wine, vinegar, and sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves, about 5 seconds. Stir the orange juice-cornstarch mixture then add it to the skillet. Bring the sauce to a boil, stirring, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 1 minute. Remove the skillet from the heat and set it aside while you fry the chicken.
• Fry the chicken:
• Line a large rimmed baking sheet with paper towels.
• In a 10-inch cast-iron skillet, heat 1/2 inch of oil until a deep-fry thermometer registers 365°F. Meanwhile, coat half of the chicken, a couple pieces at a time, in cornstarch, making sure they are well coated and gently knocking off any excess, then transfer to a plate. Carefully add all the coated chicken to the hot oil, spacing the pieces apart from each other. Fry the chicken, turning it once or twice, until deep golden, about 5 minutes. While frying, adjust the heat as necessary to keep the oil at 365°F. Using a metal spider or a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken as done to the paper-towel-lined baking sheet. Continue to coat and fry the remaining chicken in the same manner, returning the oil to 365°F between batches.
• Once the chicken is fried, place the skillet of reserved orange sauce over moderately low heat and bring it to a simmer, stirring and thinning the sauce with a little water if necessary. Add the chicken, and stir until thoroughly coated in sauce.
• To serve:
• Transfer the chicken to a serving dish and garnish with the scallions, and, if desired, the red chile slices and the freshly grated orange zest. Serve immediately with rice.

SKILLET ORANGE CHICKEN WITH CARROTS

Steps:

• Add chicken to the skillet, add sliced carrots, mix orange juice and soy sauce together and pour over the chicken. Place on stove and cover; bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until chicken is tender. Can use boneless, skinless breasts, but the sauce isn't as flavorful. I also double the amounts of liquid, as I like to have extra sauce.

SKILLET CHICKEN WITH TURMERIC AND ORANGE

Steps:

• Marinate the chicken: Place the onion, 2 tablespoons olive oil, honey, dried mint, garlic, orange zest, orange juice, turmeric, salt and black pepper in a large bowl and stir to combine. Add the chicken and turn to coat with the marinade. Cover and leave in the fridge until ready to cook or for up to 12 hours.
• When ready to cook, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large (12-inch) skillet or frying pan over medium high and wait for the pan to become very hot. (This ensures a nice sear.) Add the chicken and the marinade to the pan, and cook until chicken is browned underneath and easily releases from the pan, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir the onions every now and then so that they cook evenly. If the pan looks dry, add a couple of tablespoons of water to the pan to prevent the juices from drying out. Flip the chicken and cook on the other side until the chicken is cooked through, another 5 to 8 minutes. Serve immediately.