| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 25 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 365 | 13g | 3g | 20g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 10g | 2g | 30g | 0.6g |
As soon as I tasted Chicken with Nance Sauce, I was instantly transported to tropical climates where the nance fruit thrives. It’s a dish that embodies my favorite culinary elements of the South with a delightful spin. A sunny blend of salty, sweet, and zesty flavors, it truly brings a taste of the tropics to the table.
Building a Bridge Between Two Regions
There’s something endearing about combining the hearty sustenance of Southern fare with tropical ingredients. It’s a little like pairing biscuits with pineapple—unexpected, yet harmonious. Chicken with Pineapple and Peanuts is a somewhat similar dish, although it leans more towards an Asian flavor profile. Still, like our Chicken with Nance Sauce, it proves that fruit-forward sauces can be an excellent match for chicken, elevating familiar dishes into something intriguing and new.
A Healthful Twist to Traditional Comfort Food
Of course, beyond the realm of delightful flavor combos, this Chicken with Nance Sauce offers up a fair share of health benefits too. The nance fruit, a small, yellow spherical fruit found in the subtropical regions of America, is rich in vitamins C and K, antioxidants, and fiber. Paired with lean chicken breasts, it creates a meal that is not only flavorful and satisfying, but also beneficial to maintaining heart health and boosting the immune system.
In my kitchen, I’ve always believed in blending tradition with exploration and never shying away from testing the limits of flavor. This Chicken with Nance Sauce is a testament to that philosophy, a dish that combines the comforting, familiar taste of a well-cooked chicken with the exotic, tangy zest of nance fruit. It’s a recipe that sings with vibrancy, an embodiment of what I love about food – its ability to surprise, comfort and, most importantly, satiate. I suggest pairing it with a simple Quinoa Salad or a basket of warm, fluffy Cornbread to complete a lovely meal.
What You’ll Need
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup Nance fruit (or Nance fruit canned), pitted and washed
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
Method
Step One
Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook them until they are golden-brown on both sides and cooked thoroughly, about 6-7 minutes per side. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set them aside.
Step Two
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and chopped onion. Cook them on a medium heat until the onion becomes soft and translucent, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. This should take around 5 minutes.
Step Three
Add the Nance fruits to the skillet and cook them until they begin to break down and turn into a sauce. This will take about 5 minutes. Add the chicken broth, freshly squeezed orange juice, orange zest, and sugar to the skillet. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a simmer.
Step Four
In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch with the 1/4 cup of water, stirring until the cornstarch is completely dissolved. This creates a slurry to thicken the sauce. Gradually add the cornstarch slurry into the skillet, stirring constantly to incorporate it into the sauce. Continue to cook the sauce until it thickens to your desired consistency.
Step Five
Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet and spoon the Nance sauce over the top of them. Let the chicken cook in the sauce for a few more minutes so that it can absorb the flavors. Serve the chicken with the Nance sauce hot.
