Description
Zesty cilantro orange chicken elevates weeknight dinner with bold Mexican-inspired flavors. Juicy marinated chicken mingles with aromatic rice and creamy black beans, creating a delightful meal that connects cultural culinary traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- ½ cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 cup long-grain white or brown rice
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsps chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Marinade Creation: Whisk orange juice, cilantro, olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl or resealable bag, creating a vibrant flavor foundation.
- Chicken Marination: Fully submerge chicken in the marinade, coating each piece evenly. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 4 hours, allowing ingredients to infuse deeply.
- Rice Preparation: In a saucepan, sauté onions in olive oil until translucent. Add rice, toasting briefly to enhance nutty flavors. Pour in broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until rice is perfectly tender.
- Bean Enhancement: Incorporate black beans and cumin into the rice, seasoning with salt and pepper. Let the mixture rest, covered, to harmonize flavors.
- Chicken Cooking: Remove chicken from marinade, pat dry with paper towels. Sear in a preheated skillet or grill pan at medium-high heat, cooking 5-6 minutes per side until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Plating and Serving: Spread rice and bean mixture on plates, top with sliced chicken. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and accompanied by zesty lime wedges for a vibrant, complete meal.
Notes
- Optimize Marination Time: Let chicken soak between 30 minutes to 4 hours for maximum flavor absorption without compromising meat texture.
- Prevent Rice Sticking: Toast rice with constant stirring and use appropriate oil amount to create non-stick base before adding liquid.
- Ensure Chicken Doneness: Use meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 165°F, guaranteeing safe and juicy chicken without overcooking.
- Enhance Flavor Depth: Pat chicken dry before cooking to achieve perfect golden-brown sear and seal in marinade’s complex citrus-herb profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg