Description
Zesty cilantro orange chicken dances with tangy citrus and herbal notes, promising a Mexican-inspired feast. Succulent chicken meets bold flavors, inviting you to savor a memorable culinary journey through vibrant ingredients and perfect seasoning.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
- 2 oranges
Seasonings and Spices:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp orange zest
Grains and Legumes:
- 2 cups white rice
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 cup orange juice
Instructions
- Zest and juice oranges, setting aside juice and zest for marinade.
- Finely chop cilantro and mince garlic, combining with olive oil, salt, pepper, cumin, orange zest in a mixing bowl.
- Thoroughly coat chicken breasts with marinade, ensuring even coverage, and let rest at room temperature for 20 minutes.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, searing marinated chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- While chicken cooks, rinse rice and prepare in a separate pot using chicken broth, cooking for approximately 18-20 minutes until fluffy.
- Drain and rinse black beans, warming them in a small saucepan over low heat.
- Remove chicken from skillet, letting it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Add remaining orange juice to skillet, creating a quick pan sauce by scraping browned bits from bottom.
- Plate rice and beans, top with sliced chicken, drizzle pan sauce, and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro.
- Serve immediately while ingredients are hot and flavors are vibrant.
Notes
- Swap chicken breasts with thighs for a juicier, more flavorful alternative that stays tender during cooking.
- Marinate chicken overnight in the refrigerator to enhance deeper orange and cilantro flavor penetration.
- Use fresh orange juice and zest for brighter, more authentic citrus notes compared to bottled alternatives.
- For gluten-free option, confirm all ingredients like broth are certified gluten-free and replace regular cumin with gluten-free spice blend.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 28-30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg