Time for a Spanish classic, but one with a twist: my lush chicken in orange sauce recipe! This one is based on a Spanish classic dish that you can also find under the name of “secreto iberico a la naranja”.
What a delicious chicken recipe!
This yummy chicken in orange sauce recipe is what I will be cooking for you today.
Have you ever visited Spain before?
You might have heard or seen of a similar dish before. One that uses pork instead of chicken, the Spanish call it “secreto iberico a la naranja”.
And we love it!
Does that sound somewhat familiar?
Secreto Iberico A La Naranja
It as such an exotic name!
Naranja, that means orange in Spanish.
A la naranja is ‘with orange’. Iberico means that this dish also contains pork meat from the black Iberian pig which is a traditional breed of domestic pig here in Spain.
But what is that secret secreto then? What a cute name for a piece of meat!
So what cut of pork is it exactly?
Easy Chicken in Orange Sauce Recipe
Secreto iberico is a particular pork cut from the shoulder area.
It is a flat strip of meat, has a lovely marbled look and is extremely fatty and flavorful. That is why you practically don’t need any oil or butter to pan fry secreto pork in because the fat in the meat melts as soon as it hits that hot pan.
So you can image what kind of flavor boost that melted fat must give to the orange sauce.
It is so delicious!
Too bad that this cut is not easy to find outside of Spain.
And therefore I came up with a chicken version of this classic!
Fresh Oranges
The orange sauce recipe for chicken is quite easy to prepare.
Just let the orange juice reduce and season it to taste.
What are some good side dishes for this chicken in orange sauce recipe?
I would serve it with boiled rice or fries and baked apples if you ask me.
Hey, you can also use this orange sauce recipe for duck!
Enjoy!
Easy Chicken in Orange Sauce Recipe
My lush chicken in orange sauce recipe, a take on a Spanish classic dish called secreto iberico a la naranja. What a delicious chicken dinner!
- 2 large chicken fillets
- zest and juice of ½ fresh large orange
- 1 red onion chopped
- 1 small garlic clove chopped
- ¼ cup brandy (60 ml)
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- ½ cup water (120 ml)
- a handful fresh parsley chopped
- olive oil
- pepper
- salt
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Pour some olive oil in large non-stick pan and place it over high heat until hot. Then add the chicken fillets to the pan. Quickly sear them on both sides for 2 minutes until browned.
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Then transfer the fillets to a clean plate and let them rest for now. Don’t discard the oil. Turn the heat to medium and add the chopped onion and garlic.
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Stir well. Then season with pepper and salt. Cook for 4 minutes until the onion starts to brown a little. Then add the orange zest.
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Stir again. Then pour in the brandy, the white wine vinegar, water and orange juice.
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Stir the sauce well and cover the pan then. Let the sauce simmer until reduced by half for a couple of minutes. It should thicken a little. Then add the freshly chopped parsley.
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Stir and check the seasoning. Add extra pepper, salt or white wine vinegar to taste if necessary. Then add the fried chicken fillets back to the hot pan.
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Cover again and leave the chicken simmer in the sauce for an extra 2 to 3 minutes until warmed through again. Place the chicken fillets onto warm plates and drizzle with the orange sauce. Then serve immediately.
A must watch
Hold your horses: this chicken in orange sauce recipe also contains an extra part, with video!
Don’t miss Hissing Cooker’s recipe video below for orange sauce baby back ribs!!
My foodie friend Hissing Cooker prepared my orange sauce recipe chicken and added some personal touches to it: baby back ribs in an orange and balsamic reduction sauce…
I love this version to bits!!
Thank you so much for trying it out and your feedback.
Here is Hissing Cooker’s recipe video then, a must watch!!
Recipe Video
Cooking with Fresh Oranges
Like I said before, I am not fond of cooking with fruits.
But I gladly make an exception for this chicken in orange sauce recipe!
Do you often use fresh oranges in savory dishes?
One recipe that I like to make in the summer, is my shaved fennel and orange escabeche salad. It is a great side salad for pan seared duck for instance.
That is a family favorite here.
And how about oranges in soup?
I love my velvety carrot and orange soup…
Desserts with Fresh Oranges
And of course if we are talking about cooking with oranges, then we should not forget desserts of course!
I love it in cakes and cupcakes.
Check out my moist orange cake!
And I am sure that you are familiar with this French classic: crepes suzette…
Or in other words thin crepes in a sweet orange and Grand Marnier butter sauce!
Try it out, you will love it!
In the meantime enjoy my lunch chicken in orange sauce recipe above…