This quick, tangy pan sauce for chicken tenders is made with orange juice, fresh orange segments and jelly or marmalade. We used a good quality jalapeño jelly to give the dish a little kick, but orange marmalade is a great alternative. We offer a couple of other variations in the recipe notes as well.
Chicken Tenders with Fresh Orange Pan Sauce
Chicken tenderloins in a tangy pan sauce made with fresh oranges, juice, and jalapeño jelly make a quick and easy meal that's good enough for company.
Ingredients
- 1-1/4 lbs chicken tenderloins, about 8 to 10 pieces
- 1/4 cup flour
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup onion, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, very finely chopped
- 2/3 cup orange juice
- 3 tablespoons jalapeño jelly or orange marmalade
- 1/2 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 navel orange, peeled, segmented and cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Trim the white tendons from the ends of the chicken tenderloins as needed and set aside.
- Place the flour, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a food storage bag and shake to combine. Add the tenderloins and shake to coat them with the flour mixture.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook until golden, 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Lower the heat to medium and add the onion. Sauté until soft and translucent, 2 to 3 minutes, then add the garlic and sauté 1 minute longer.
- Add the orange juice and marmalade, and whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Add the red bell pepper and continue cooking until the pepper is crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the orange segments and cook for 1 to 2 minutes longer.
- Return the chicken to the pan and turn the pieces several times to coat with the sauce.
- Continue cooking until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is no longer pink in the middle, about 3 minutes total.
- Serve over steamed rice or couscous if desired.
Recipe Notes
If you use orange marmalade instead of jalapeño jelly, you can add a handful of dried cranberries in place of the red bell pepper to make an orange-cranberry pan sauce.
You could also replace the jalapeño jelly with currant jelly, use apple cider instead of orange juice and add diced Granny Smith apple in place of the bell pepper.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Chicken Tenders with Fresh Orange Pan Sauce
Amount per Serving
Calories
386
% Daily Value*
Fat
12
g
18
%
Saturated Fat
2
g
13
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
9
g
Cholesterol
120
mg
40
%
Sodium
200
mg
9
%
Carbohydrates
22
g
7
%
Fiber
1
g
4
%
Sugar
16
g
18
%
Protein
45
g
90
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Have you tried this recipe?Did you add your own special touch? We’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment and a rating to share your thoughts with others.
Kerry Ann says
This recipe was really easy to make and the sauce was super-tasty. I used orange marmalade and added a smidge of crushed red pepper for some heat. Served it with plain white rice. Will definitely make again. Thanks!
Arthur says
Went down very well – not used to US terms & measures but got the gist – as we Brits say!
Used 1/2 lime marmalade & 1/2 hot pepper sauce. (in store cupboard). Ideal for coeliacs if use cornflour
Going to do Saratoga lamb recipe – just as soon as I can find a butcher that speaks American.
Are people really voting for Trump or is just a joke the US is playing on the world?
Lynne Webb says
Hi Arthur,
Glad you had good luck with the recipe. Lime marmalade sounds delicious – I’ll have to try and hunt some of that down here in the states. The cornflour is a good idea too. About the Saratoga lamb chops – I was told by the market where I purchase them that they are a boneless chop cut from the blade portion of the shoulder. I’ve always had good luck with them. Lots of flavor. Hope you can find the lamb!
Jamie Huston says
Spectacular recipe for me! I added guava jelly instead of orange marmalade and only 2 tablespoons of it. I only used 2 TBLs of flour for the veggies and 1/4 cup fresca for more liquid. Used 3 clementine oranges. Wow!!! Learning weight watchers recipes and this is the best so far. Lastly – 2 chicken breast from the butcher – lightly sautéed as suggested and my own seasonings.
Lynne Webb says
Hi Jamie,
So glad you enjoyed the recipe. The guava jelly sounds good – a little less sweet I think. I’ve used clementines in this recipe a couple of times too – love them.