Apricot Orange Chicken Heart Healthy Recipe

Ingredients for Apricot Orange Chicken Heart Healthy

• Whole Chicken
• Orange
• 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier (or other orange liqueur)
• White Onion
• 1 large fennel bulb, thinly sliced
• Dried Apricot
• 1 cup boiling water
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

How to Make Apricot Orange Chicken Heart Healthy

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Add the chicken breasts and orange slices to the bowl. Toss to coat.
4. Add the sliced fennel bulb and let the chicken marinate for at least 8 hours, or preferably overnight in the refrigerator.
5. While the chicken marinates, prepare the apricot glaze: In a small saucepan, combine dried apricots and boiling water. Let soak for 30 minutes.
6. Drain the apricots, reserving the soaking liquid. Squeeze out excess moisture from the apricots.
7. Place the apricots, Grand Marnier, and soy sauce in a food processor and blend until completely smooth. Set aside.
8. Arrange the sliced onions in the bottom of a 13x9 inch baking dish.
9. Remove chicken from marinade, reserving the marinade. Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
10. Brush chicken generously with the apricot glaze.
11. Place the glazed chicken breasts on top of the sliced onions in the baking dish.
12. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
13. Remove foil and bake for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken registers 165°F (74°C).
14. Remove chicken from the baking dish and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
15. To make the sauce: Pour reserved marinade and any juices from the baking dish into a saucepan. Add optional chicken broth for extra sauce. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes to reduce slightly. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve.
16. Slice chicken into quarters and serve over rice or quinoa. Drizzle with the pan sauce and pass the remaining sauce on the side.