Description

These Cilantro Orange Chicken Bites are a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring tender chicken pieces cooked to perfection and coated with a tangy orange-honey sauce infused with garlic, cumin, and smoked paprika. Perfect as a quick weeknight dinner or appetizer, they offer a delicious balance of sweet, savory, and citrusy notes enhanced with fresh cilantro.

Ingredients

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For the Chicken Bites:

1 1/4 lbs. chicken thighs or tenderloins, cut into 1-1 1/2 inch pieces
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup chopped cilantro (plus more for garnish)
Olive oil, for cooking the chicken

For the Orange-Honey Sauce:

2 oranges, juiced
3 Tbsp honey
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp white vinegar
1 Tbsp soy sauce

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Instructions

Prep the chicken. Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large bowl. Add the cumin, smoked paprika, and salt, then toss until the chicken is fully coated with the spices.
Prepare the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the freshly squeezed orange juice, honey, minced garlic, white vinegar, and soy sauce. Set this mixture aside for later use.
Cook the chicken. Heat a splash of olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the chicken bites and cook for about 3 minutes without stirring to develop a nice sear. Flip the chicken pieces and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes or until they are browned and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Use tongs to transfer the cooked chicken to a bowl to keep warm.
Make the sauce. Reduce the heat to medium and pour the prepared orange sauce into the same pan. Using a whisk, scrape up any browned bits stuck to the pan and let the sauce simmer for 4 to 5 minutes, whisking occasionally, allowing it to thicken slightly.
Toss. Return the chicken bites to the pan using a slotted spoon or tongs. Remove the pan from the heat, add the chopped cilantro, and gently toss until the chicken is fully coated with the orange-honey sauce. For extra flavor and crispiness, optionally simmer the chicken in the sauce for a few additional minutes.
Serve. Serve the chicken bites warm with extra orange sauce spooned over the top and garnish with additional cilantro if desired.

Notes

For a saucier dish, double the amount of sauce ingredients and simmer the sauce a bit longer to thicken.
Using chicken thighs adds extra juiciness, but you can substitute with chicken tenderloins if preferred.
Be careful not to overcook the chicken to avoid dryness; internal temperature should reach 165°F.
This dish pairs well with steamed rice or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
Calories: 320 kcal
Sugar: 10 g
Sodium: 650 mg
Fat: 12 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 18 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 35 g
Cholesterol: 85 mg