Description
Cilantro Orange Chicken Bites are a flavorful and juicy dish featuring tender chicken pieces seasoned with smoked paprika and cumin, cooked to perfection, and tossed in a tangy, sweet orange-honey sauce with a fresh cilantro finish. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a flavorful appetizer.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
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
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 and toss until the chicken is fully coated.
- Prepare the sauce: Whisk the orange juice, honey, garlic, vinegar, and soy sauce together in a small bowl. Set it aside once done.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a splash of olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken bites and cook for 3 minutes. Then flip and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes or until the chicken is browned and cooked through (reaching an internal temperature of 165°F). Once done, use tongs to transfer the chicken to a bowl to keep warm.
- Make the sauce: Turn the burner down to medium and add the orange sauce to the same pan. Use a whisk to scrape up any browned bits then let simmer for 4-5 minutes, whisking occasionally. The sauce should thicken slightly.
- Toss: Transfer the chicken back to the pan (using a slotted spoon or tongs) and remove the pan from the heat. Add the cilantro and toss until the chicken is fully coated in the sauce. Alternatively, you can let the chicken simmer in the sauce for a few minutes to get those crispy edges.
- Serve: Serve warm with extra orange sauce spooned over the chicken bites. Garnish with extra cilantro if desired.
Notes
- Double the sauce if you prefer the bites extra saucy; simmer the sauce a few minutes longer to reach your desired consistency.
- Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
- Use fresh oranges for best flavor in the sauce.
- Serve the bites immediately to enjoy the best texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 4 oz chicken with sauce)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
