Baked Chinese Orange Chicken

 Baked Chinese Orange Chicken

OK, so we're on a Mr. Yoshida's kick this week.  I love Chinese food, in just about any shape and form.  But, sometimes the oil, fat and calories leave me feeling a little guilty.  If you've got a Trader Joe's in your area, they've got a great selection of ready-made low-fat Chinese dishes, all for less than $5.00 a bag.  They're Orange Chicken is the BEST, but, it's not low fat.

As my hubby and I try to uncover our lean and mean physiques, we've been missing our TJ's Orange Chicken.  So, I decided to try to duplicate it with a baked version.  I am proud and happy to report that it was a success, so I'm thrilled to be able to share it with all of you today!

If you love Chinese food, if you LOVE Orange Chicken like I do, this recipe will be one of your staples!  You can use any type of bread crumbs, but the Panko give it some extra crunch.

Baked Chinese Orange Chicken

Prep Time: 20 minutes / Cook Time: 30 minutes / Servings: 4

Baked Chinese
Orange Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken tenders, cubed
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup egg substitute
• 2 cups Panko bread crumbs
• 1 orange, zested
• 1/4 tsp. red chile flake (optional)
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup sweet teriyaki glaze (I use Mr. Yoshida's)
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 tbsp. corn starch, dissolved in 1/4 cup COLD water
• 1/4 cup chopped scallions
• salt and pepper to taste
• cooking spray

Steps:

FOR THE CHICKEN:

1. Spray a cookie sheet or glass baking dish with cooking spray and preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Rinse the chicken tenders and pat dry with a paper towel.
3. Make three different stations with three plates.  Spread the flour onto one plate.
4. Add the egg substitute to the second plate.
5. On the third plate combine the panko bread crumbs, orange zest, red chile flake and season with salt and pepper. Mix until combined.
6. Dredge the chicken bits through the flour and shake off the excess.  Dip into the egg mixture and then coat in the bread crumbs.  Transfer to the cookie sheet or baking dish.
7. Spray both sides of all the chicken pieces liberally with cooking spray.  Bake in the oven at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.

FOR THE SAUCE:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the orange juice, teriyaki sauce and chicken broth. Season with garlic powder, salt and pepper.  Stir and cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes, until hot.
2. Whisk in dissolved corn starch and stir until sauce is thickened.

TO SERVE:  Transfer chicken pieces to a serving bowl or dish.  Pour sauce over chicken and stir lightly to coat all pieces.  Garnish with chopped scallions.  Serve immediately.

Baked Chinese Orange Chicken