Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Orange Glazed Fiesta Chicken


We don't eat a lot of Mexican food and I tend not to make the high caloric favorites that graced the table when our children were at home. However, since today is Cinco de Mayo, I thought today's recipe should be Mexican or Mexican inspired. I didn't want to add another version of enchiladas to your already burgeoning collection and I thought you might enjoy the flavors of this quick and easy fiesta chicken. The recipe is straight forward. The chicken is braised stove top, but is finished under the broiler. While this is not necessary, time under the broiler gives the chicken a lovely orange glow. I use bone-in thighs for this preparation, but I remove the skin. The skin becomes flaccid as the chicken braises and, in my book, becomes inedible. I've tried cooking with the skin on and then removing it just before serving, but chicken prepared this way lacks the depth of the flavor I look for in a braise. I've found the best solution is to remove the skin, lightly dust the thighs with flour and then brown them using medium heat before adding liquid to the pan. The chicken is table ready in about 35 minutes. While there is a poblano in the sauce, this is not an overly spicy recipe. Let's get this done. It's time for a fiesta.

Orange Glazed Fiesta Chicken

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon freshly zested orange peel
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
2 to 3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons orange liqueur
1 chipotle chile (canned and packed in adobo sauce), mashed
1 teaspoon adobo sauce from canned chipotle chile
4 cloves minced garlic
1 chicken bouillon cube
1/2 teaspoon pimenton (sweet smoked Spanish paprika)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
8 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
Optional garnish:
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon orange peel strips

Directions:
1) Combine orange zest, orange juice, honey, orange liqueur, mashed chile, adobo sauce, garlic, bouillon cube and paprika in a small bowl. Mix well. Set aside.
2) Season chicken with salt and pepper. Lightly coat with flour.
3) Heat oil and butter in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add chicken thighs and saute, turning once, until both sides are brown, about 6 to 8 minutes. Pour sauce over chicken and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes turning and basting halfway through.
4) Meanwhile, preheat oven broiler. Transfer chicken to a broiler pan. Broil 5 inches from heating element until bubbly and lightly brown. Transfer chicken to a serving plate.
5) Rapidly boil sauce to reduce by half. Adjust seasoning. Spoon over chicken. Garnish with cilantro and orange strips, if using. Yield: 4 servings.

38 comments :

Selba said...

Oh Mary.. this is the most beautiful orange glazed on chicken that I've ever seen! Beautiful!

Martha said...

This looks like a good dish for Cinco De Mayo -- and so much different that the cheese sauced dishes that one often finds in Mexican restaurants.

noble pig said...

I have chicken thighs in the freezer that have been staring at me. Now I know what I'm going to make. Beautiful!

theUngourmet said...

This looks and sounds wonderful! I bet the chipotle chili and the adobe sauce added fabulous flavor to the chicken!

Ning said...

I usually remove the chicken skin - for health reasons - because it is high in fats and cholesterol. So most of my chicken dishes do not look good. I have never thought of finishing the cooking under the broiler to make it look good. Thanks for the wonderful idea. :)

Katy ~ said...

Fabulous! Looks beautiful and so delicious that I wanted to bite the screen! I'm saving this for sure. Looks like it has a nice spice without being overwhelming.

Donna-FFW said...

What gorgeous coloring on the chicken, and so nice and healthy. Perfect dish for cinco de mayo. Just pass me some with a margarita.

Heather S-G said...

This looks great Mary! (and it would be perfect for entering in my May chile round-up...hint hint)!

Penny said...

Love the looks of this chicken and bet it would be great paired with the orange couscous.

Joy Tilton said...

Mary, can't wait to try this! We love Mexican food but it's so high in fat and calories. This one is actually healthy and would be fabulous with traditonal latin sides like plantains and rice. Thanks for a great recipe!
joy c. at grannymountain

Ginger said...

Mary what else can I say but spectacular!!! Wonderful photos.

Jamie said...

Mary, Mary this looks way too amazing! I think I just decided what I am using my single can of chipotle chili in adobo sauce that someone sent me for! Too too beautiful! And the flavors! I am speechless!

Culinary Wannabe said...

What a beautiful color! I was just trying to decide how to spend our cinco de mayo, and this sounds lovely. Especially when paired with a big margarita!

Netts Nook said...

Wow what flavors. Great pictures. Happy Cinco De Mayo.

Pam said...

Mmmm. This looks and sounds so good Mary. I will be trying this recipe soon.

La Bella Cooks said...

Oh wow, just look at that color! I would definitely love this orange glaze. This is a beautiful dish.

Anonymous said...

these are my kind of flavors. Your presentation and photo is brilliant! Love everything about this post!!!

The Blonde Duck said...

I love this! Perfect for Cinco de Mayo!

Esi said...

That looks great with tons of flavor!

Lori said...

Another great recipe. Geez Mary- you sure are one amazing chef and baker!

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Mary I have to make this! What an eye chatcher. Perfect for a celebration.

Liesl said...

Your pictures make me drool!! That chicken looks so delicious!

Mary Bergfeld said...

Esi, welcome to One Perfect Bite. I hope you'll become a frequent visitor.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Heather (onestepbeyond), thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you stop by often.

Karen said...

This looks really good, Mary. Lots of 'orange-ness' going on in that chicken. Yum!

pam said...

Those are amazing! The color is gorgeous!

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

Great glaze and looks so pretty!

My Little Space said...

I think my kids going to love this dish! I will definitely try it.

Creative Classroom Core said...

What a tasty and flavorful sounding dish! Great pics!

Prue Barrett said...

This looks fantastic. I've only just found your blog - it's brilliant. I'm bookmarking this recipe for sure.

Jackie said...

Hi

I was wondering if I could try this with bone-in, skin on chicken.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Jackie, my answer is "yes, but" The chicken skin will become limp and flacid when braised in this amount of liquid. You get the flavor but almost everyone will pull off the skin and leave it on their plates.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for your kind comment on my blog. I am honored you came to visit me :)
The flavors in this are amazing!

Create. Snap. Eat. said...

What a recipe! It sounds like it worth the work. And the image is making me hungry! Delicious.

martu said...

This is my favorite. It looks delicious! I was living in Mexico when I was a student and I love mexican food. You did it great! Have a nice weekend and happy first of May

Mother Rimmy said...

I love the color on this chicken! I've not seen a Mexican version of orange glazed chicken. I'm anxious to try this out. I love the flavors of Mexican cuisine!

Susan at www.ugogrrl.com said...

This looks so yummy - I love Mexican food! All of your choices look amazing!

Susan

Ana Powell said...

Bookmarked, what a delightful dish ♥

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