Chicken with Star Anise Orange Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 Naval oranges
- 8 skin-on bone-in chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons avocado or peanut oil
- 1 large onion
finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic
minced
- 1 tablespoon peeled
grated fresh ginger
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons chili-garlic sauce
- 3-4 star anise pods
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoons cold water
- Fresh thyme sprigs
- Orange quarters for garnish
Directions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 375°F
- 2
Finely grate the zest from one of the oranges and reserve. Squeeze the juice from the oranges, you should have 1 cup of juice, you may need to juice another half orange. Season the chicken with the salt and pepper.
- 3
In a Dutch oven, braiser or large skillet set over medium-high heat, add the oil and when it is hot add half of the chicken pieces and sear it to a rich brown, then flip it and brown the other side. Transfer the chicken to a plate and proceed with the second batch and when it has browned transfer to the plate.
- 4
Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the remaining oil in the pan and return the pan to medium heat. Add the onions and cook until softened, 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger and orange zest. Cook and stir for 1 minute. Add the orange juice, broth, wine, soy sauce, chili-garlic sauce and the star anise pods. Bring the mixture to a boil, stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1-2 minutes to thicken it slightly. Remove from the heat.
- 5
Add the browned chicken, turning them to coat with the sauce. Place the lid on the pot and transfer to the middle rack of the oven and cook for 20 minutes. Then remove the lid and continue to bake for an additional 10-12 minutes to brown the chicken.
- 6
Remove the pot from the oven, discard the anise pods and remaining thyme sprig stems. Transfer the chicken to a serving platter. Pour the sauce into a dish or small pitcher and serve with the chicken.
- 7
Serve the chicken on a mound of steamed rice with the sauce poured over the chicken, garnished with thyme sprigs and orange wedges
- 8
Optional: For a smooth, elegant sauce, strain it through a fine-mesh strainer set over a dish.
Chicken with Star Anise Orange Sauce
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About this Recipe
Looking for a dish that effortlessly blends exotic aromas with bright, familiar flavors? This Chicken with Star Anise Orange Sauce is your answer, perfect for a cozy weeknight or impressive enough for guests. You can easily elevate your dinner rotation without spending hours in the kitchen, proving gourmet doesn't have to mean complicated.
The magic in this dish truly lies in the aromatic star anise paired with the vibrant zest and juice of Naval oranges, creating a sauce that's both sweet and savory with an intoxicating perfume. This recipe brilliantly combines these distinctive ingredients with succulent chicken, proving that you don't need a lengthy ingredient list to achieve seriously flavorful, restaurant-quality results at home.
What to Expect
Prepare for tender, succulent skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs, bathed in a deeply aromatic sauce that dances between savory, tangy, and subtly spicy notes. The fragrant star anise lends an exotic warmth, beautifully balanced by the bright citrus of fresh oranges and a robust depth from soy sauce and dry white wine. You’ll find the sauce is perfectly thickened, clinging to every piece of chicken, promising a truly satisfying and sophisticated flavor experience that feels both comforting and special.
Customization & Variations
While skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs are recommended for their flavor and juiciness, you could experiment with boneless chicken thighs for a slightly quicker cooking time. For a bolder kick, feel free to adjust the amount of chili-garlic sauce to your liking, or reduce it if you prefer less heat. If you're out of dry white wine, an equal amount of chicken broth can be used, though it will subtly change the sauce's depth and complexity.
Serve this elegant Chicken with Star Anise Orange Sauce alongside fluffy rice or simple noodles to soak up every drop of that incredible sauce. Garnish generously with fresh thyme sprigs and vibrant orange quarters for an inviting presentation, making it suitable for both casual family dinners and more formal gatherings.