Orange Chicken with Asparagus

"It takes kind of like orange chicken from the Chinese restaurant," the hubs said tonight over dinner.  Success!

While take-out orange chicken usually is deep fried in sticky sauce with over-steamed broccoli, this version is sauteed and has a sauce, but nothing oh-so-sticky.  With a hint of sweet heat from the orange, honey, and red pepper flakes, the orange flavor shines through.  And, the asparagus is still a little crisp and adds a little crunch and green to the dish.  And maybe the best part... it takes no time to cook and is done all in one big skillet.

Another make-your-own-take-out for the books...

Orange Chicken with Asparagus

Orange Chicken with Asparagus

What You Need:

• 1 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
• 3 boneless chicken breasts, cubed
• 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1" pieces
• 3 garlic cloves, pressed
• pinch red pepper flakes, to taste
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• juice and zest of one orange

How You Do It:

1. Heat oil in large pan.  Add chicken, garlic, and red pepper flakes.  Cook until just slightly pink inside.
2. Add asparagus to pan and cook until desired tenderness and chicken no longer pink.
3. In small bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, sesame seeds, and juice and zest of orange.  Add to pan, stir to combine, and heat through.

Orange Chicken with Asparagus recipe adapted from FitnessMagazine.com.

Sesame Chicken Tenders with Creamy Parmesan Orzo & Asparagus

Both of tonight's recipes I found on Pinterest.  Some would say I'm addicted... I just say I use it as inspiration!

These chicken tenders are moist and have a slight sesame flavor.  I don't often like to cook with sesame oil, as I feel it has a pretty strong flavor, but with a mere two teaspoons for an entire package of chicken tender (my package had 11, for those of you counting at home), it really wasn't too over-powering.

And the orzo, oh the orzo.  I love asparagus.  I do.  And if you liked (or even tried!) the Cheezy Broccoli Orzo you too will like this one.

A quick and easy dinner for sure.

Sesame Chicken Tenders

Sesame Chicken Tenders with
Creamy Parmesan Orzo & Asparagus

What You Need:

• 1 package chicken tenderloins
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 2 tsp soy sauce
• 6 tbsp sesame seeds
• 4 tbsp panko
• olive oil spray

How You Do It:

1. Preheat oven to 425°. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick oil spray.
2. Combine the sesame oil and soy sauce in a large Ziploc bag.
3. Combine the sesame seeds and panko in bowl.
4. Place chicken in bag with the oil and soy sauce and toss to coat, then into the sesame seed mixture to coat well. 
5. Place on the baking sheet; lightly spray the top of the chicken with oil spray and bake 10 minutes. 
6. Turn over and cook another 5 minutes longer or until cooked through.

Creamy Parmesan Orzo & Asparagus

What You Need:

• 1 c orzo
• 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1/4 c milk
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

How You Do It:

1. Bring a large pot of water boil over medium heat.
2. Cook the orzo 5 minutes.
3. Add the asparagus to the same pot and cook until orzo and asparagus are tender.
4. Drain and return to the pot.
5. Quickly add the Parmesan, milk, and butter and stir until butter and cheese is melted and mixed in completely. 

Sesame Chicken Tenders adapted from SkinnyTaste.
Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Asparagus adapted from Sugar and Spice by Celeste.