Chicken breast with sauce
On some evenings, I don't feel like complicated recipes, but I still want something that has flavor and doesn't take over my kitchen. Baked chicken breast with tomato, orange, and wine sauce is one of the recipes I make when I want to cook with what I have on hand. I find that the orange adds a different note, while the sauce remains quite simple and easy to adapt based on what you have in the fridge.
Quick Info
Total time: approximately 60 minutes
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 40-45 minutes
Servings: 2-3
Difficulty: easy
Recipe type: main dish, lunch or dinner
Ingredients
1 whole chicken breast (approx. 400-500 g)
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2-3 tablespoons soy sauce
juice from 1 orange + 1/2 orange sliced, peel included
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
basil, to taste
rosemary, to taste (optional, appears in the ingredient list)
100 ml wine (white or red, depending on what you have)
1 cup water (200-250 ml)
1 tablespoon oil for greasing the baking dish
Preparation method
1. Wash the chicken breast, dry it well with a kitchen towel, and cut it in half lengthwise. Don't insist on thin slices; it's better to have thicker pieces so they don't dry out in the oven.
2. In a deep plate or bowl, mix the tomato paste with a little water (just enough to thin the paste, about 2-3 tablespoons of water). Add the soy sauce, orange juice, salt, pepper, and basil. If you like rosemary, add it now. Mix everything well.
3. Place the chicken breast pieces in this mixture and turn them on all sides to coat. Don't let them marinate; it's just to quickly season them.
4. Grease a baking dish with oil. Arrange the chicken pieces and pour all the sauce from the bowl over them.
5. Add a cup of water and 100 ml of wine to the dish. Also, add the remaining half of the orange, sliced thinly, peel included. You can place the slices over the meat or in the sauce; it doesn't matter much.
6. Cover the dish with aluminum foil or a suitable lid if you have one. Place it in the preheated oven at 180°C and let it cook for about 40 minutes. At the end, you can remove the foil and leave it for another 5-10 minutes if you want the chicken to get a little color on top.
7. Remove the dish from the oven and let the meat rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. It’s easier to slice, and the juices won’t run out.
Why I make this recipe often
It's quick, the ingredients are simple, and the combination of soy sauce, orange, and tomatoes gives a slightly different flavor than what I usually make with chicken breast. It works for two people or for a day when you want to have some leftover chicken for the next day.
Tips and variations
Tips
- Don't leave the chicken breast in the oven too long if you want it to remain tender, especially if it's cut thin.
- Mix the tomato paste with water to prevent it from burning or leaving lumps on the meat.
- The orange slices with peel give a light aroma, but don’t eat them; they are just for flavor.
Substitutions
- The wine can be white or red; it doesn't matter much; it's mainly for the sauce.
- You can skip the rosemary if you don't have it or don't like it.
- If you don't have basil, you can use oregano.
Variations
- For a slightly more flavorful version, you can add a little chopped garlic, although it doesn’t appear in the original recipe.
- If you want something more tangy, use lemon juice instead of orange, but the taste will be different.
Serving ideas
- It’s good with plain rice or mashed potatoes because the sauce is quite liquid.
- You can also serve a green salad on the side if you want something lighter.
Frequently asked questions
1. Can I use chicken fillets instead of a whole breast?
Yes, but adjust the baking time; fillets are thinner and can dry out faster. Check after 25-30 minutes.
2. Can the recipe be made without wine?
Yes, you can replace the wine with water or simple chicken/vegetable broth.
3. What can I use instead of soy sauce?
You can try with a little extra salt and a few drops of balsamic vinegar, but the taste will be different.
4. Can I omit the orange slices with peel?
Yes, if you don't want their flavor, you can just use the orange juice.
5. Does it work with deboned thigh chicken?
It can, but it will be juicier and may need an extra 10 minutes in the oven, depending on the thickness.
Nutritional values
Estimate for one serving (out of 3):
Calories: approximately 300-350 kcal
Protein: 35 g
Fat: 7-9 g
Carbohydrates: 10-15 g
Values may vary depending on how much sauce remains and how big the chicken breast is. The tomato paste, soy sauce, and wine do not add many calories. The orange contributes slightly to the carbohydrates.
Storage and reheating
It keeps well in the fridge for 1-2 days in a closed container. When reheating, warm the chicken pieces with the sauce in the microwave or in a small saucepan over low heat with a lid. The chicken breast can dry out when reheated, so don’t leave it on the heat too long.
Ingredients: 1 chicken breast salt pepper basil rosemary soy sauce 1 orange 1 tablespoon tomato paste 100 ml wine
