Orange Chicken and Fried Rice – Fake Out Take Out
March 6, 2012
Heading to a local restaurant for dinner can be fast and easy. But, as my boys are getting older (and eating more food), I’m also finding it more expensive to eat out. I’ve come to realize it’s more affordable and healthy to eat at home, but I need recipes that are quick and easy to make. My most recent favorite is Orange Chicken. As I searched through the recipes, they all seemed complex. I don’t have 2 hours to spend in the kitchen, nor a pantry full of spices taking up precious space.
So after evaluating a few recipes this is my version. It is very similar to restaurant-style Orange Chicken – but not as crunchy. We love to eat fried rice with this meal. You can prepare and cook everything in about 45 minutes.
Orange Chicken
Ingredients:
- 1-2 pounds boneless chicken, cut into chunks
- 1/2 cup flour
- Oil (to brown the chicken)
- ½ cup frozen orange juice concentrate (no pulp)
- ¼ cup water
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
Directions:
- Coat chicken in flour and brown in a little oil in a small frying pan. (You do not have to cook it completely – it will finish cooking in the sauce.) Move the browned chicken to a large frying pan with a lid.
- In a small bowl whisk together orange juice concentrate, water, brown sugar, vinegar, and ketchup.
- Pour the liquid over chicken and stir to coat.
- Heat over medium heat until it starts to boil.
- Cover and cook completely for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
While the chicken is cooking, begin the fried rice recipe.
Fried Rice
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon dried onion flakes
- 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups cooked rice (at least one day old and stored in the refrigerator)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 egg, scrambled
- Optional – any vegetables you have on hand. Good options are sliced zucchini, peas, carrots, bell peppers, etc.
- Sautee the onions, garlic, and any vegetables in the butter for about 5 minutes til soft.
- Add rice and mix well.
- Add soy sauce and mix well.
- Push the mixture to the side and cook the scrambled eggs.
- Mix together and serve.
By the time you are done, the chicken should be cooked and ready to serve.
I do love a night off in the kitchen, but I also love to know what ingredients are in my food. You can almost make this meal faster than ordering take out!
