South African Orange Chicken
photo by K9 Owned
- Ready In:
- 1hr 25mins
- Ingredients:
- 9
- Serves:
-
4-6
ingredients
- 3 lbs chicken pieces
- 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 tablespoons orange zest (grated or julienned (try to avoid the white pith)
- 1⁄3 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons mustard, prepared table mustard (preferably wholegrain mustard)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (Kikkoman preferred)
- 1 tablespoon rosemary, fresh, chopped (or 1/2 Tbsp dried)
- salt
- 2 tablespoons brandy (optional)
directions
- Set oven at 350 deg F/180 deg Celsius.
- In a small pot, mix all the ingredients EXCEPT the chicken pieces. Use a whisk to mix everything well.
- Simmer this sauce, stirring now and then, until the sauce has reduced by one quarter or more. This reduction process will thicken it slightly and intensify the flavours.
- Watch it, as it can boil over if heat is too high. You want a brisk bubbly simmer. As the liquid evaporates, the sauce will thicken just a little. Donlt worry if some "scum" forms. It's just foam, and will disappear as the sauce boils.
- Add the brandy after you've removed the sauce from the heat. (The alcohol will evaporate in the baking process, but it gives additional flavour, and boy, you can taste that extra flavour, especially if you use a good brandy/cognac/Armagnac).
- Taste a little of the sauce with a teaspoon, being very careful not to burn your tongue! If too acid, stir in more honey, or a little sugar. You want a tangy taste.
- Pack the chicken pieces, skin side up, in a large oven dish, preferably in one layer, and pour over the thickened orange sauce. Put in preheated oven, open.
- Bake about 3/4 hour. You will need to check after 15 mins., and lay a piece of foil loosely over the chicken, to prevent burning.
- Baste with the sauce a few times during baking. Take off the foil to let the chicken brown.
- Note: if you use fewer chicken pieces, as I often do, you'll probably have sauce left over. Save for another purpose, or add it to the chicken when baking is nearly done.
- To serve to guests, put in heated serving dish, and decorate with thin strips of orange zest and a scatter of very finely chopped parsley. Goes well with fluffy rice or roast potatoes, young green beans (steamed) and a large salad. Serve with an off-dry wine such as a good blanc de noir, chenin blanc or a dry rosé.
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Reviews
-
What a tasty dish! It was fast and easy to put together and the results were great. I made it exactly as directed and added the Brandy. It really does make a difference. I had a number of chicken pieces but they were small so they would have cooked through before they browned. After the first 15 minutes I raised the temperature to 400 (no foil) and they were perfect. Served with rice pilaf, green beans and carrots. The extra sauce went on the carrots :) We will definitely be having this again!<br/>Made in memory of Gideon.
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The marinade added a lovely flavour to the chicken. If you cook it a little longer it goes a bit sticky and adds wonderful texture (especially if serving with rice). I found the flavour good but not great, I think I would add some garlic or something to balance the honey/orange/soy flavours. Thanks for the recipe!
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A winner and a keeper!<br/>I prepared this dish for dinner and I enjoyed to see how my family was impressed form the moist and tasty chicken. My husband cleaned up the baking mold with bread: too good to loose only a bit of the sauce!<br/>As you suggested I used the brandy and I condensed the sauce prior using it for the chicken; thanks for this tip.<br/>A big THANKS and a big HUG!
RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
Zurie
South Africa
I'm a widow, retired, and I love cooking. I live on the coast in South Africa and I love seafood. You're welcome to my recipes (all kinds, definitely not just seafood!) Just remember that no recipe is ever cast in stone -- adjust to your taste!
The photo was taken at a rustic seaside restaurant on our West Coast, approx 1 year ago (2016).