Chicken gets a citrus twist: How oranges elevate your dish
There are plenty of options for pairing chicken. Its delicate meat complements vegetables, cheeses, mushrooms, herbs, and more. However, fruits often end the list. This combination is not very popular in our cuisine.
Pairing meat with fruits is not a widespread pairing. Sometimes, we think of it as elegant and sophisticated, often associated with holiday dishes. However, it's actually easy to transform even a simple dinner with this pairing. This time of year, it's worth focusing on citrus fruits.
New ideas are welcome
Chicken is one of the most popular meat choices. Although it offers nearly unlimited culinary possibilities, sometimes you might run out of ideas for preparing it. At such times, considering citrus fruits, specifically oranges, is worthwhile. It's their peak season right now, and they add a touch of freshness, ensuring the meat doesn't turn out dry. For such a chicken dish, you only need to cook some rice. Together, they taste excellent.
Sweet oranges with meat? Yes!
Some people, as soon as they hear about such a combination, are hesitant. However, you don't need many oranges to give the chicken a pleasant aroma. Adding citrus to the meat is not about making a sauce. They are just an addition that creates a lovely contrast of flavors. Oranges can be used for whole roasted chicken when you prepare it in pieces.
Chicken roasted with oranges
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken leg quarters or 6 drumsticks
- 2 oranges
- A sprig of fresh rosemary
- 2-3 cloves of garlic
For the marinade:
- 4 tablespoons of olive oil or oil
- Juice from half an orange
- A teaspoon of mustard
- Half a teaspoon of honey
- Salt and pepper, paprika to taste
Instructions:
- Squeeze the juice from half an orange. Add the remaining marinade ingredients and mix well.
- Pour the marinade over the chicken. It's best to let it sit for about an hour.
- Wash the remaining oranges thoroughly and cut them into thick slices.
- Transfer the meat and marinade to an ovenproof dish. Place the garlic cloves next to it. Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Then add orange slices and a sprig of rosemary.
- Bake everything for about 35 more minutes. Towards the end of baking, you can use the grill function to achieve nicely browned chicken.
