Dino Delight Orange-Chicken Bites
Unleash the fun at mealtime with these Dino Delight Orange-Chicken Bites! Perfectly crispy chicken nuggets, shaped like friendly dinosaurs, coated in a glossy, tangy orange sauce that balances sweetness and spice to tantalize young and seasoned taste buds alike. This dish invites both kids and nostalgic adults to savor the magic of playful dining. Pair with vibrant jungle-inspired garnishes for a feast that's as visually appealing as it is delicious!
4
Servings
500
Calories
28
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground chicken
1 lb
egg
2 large
plain fresh breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons
buttermilk
1 tablespoon
sriracha sauce
2 teaspoons (or any hot sauce)
dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon
garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon
salt
1/4 teaspoon
black pepper
1/4 teaspoon
all-purpose flour
3/4 cup
milk
3 tablespoons
panko breadcrumbs
1 1/3 cups
vegetable oil
for frying
brown sugar
1/4 cup
soy sauce
3 tablespoons
orange zest
1
orange juice
1 cup
sesame oil
1 tablespoon
garlic
1 tablespoon (finely minced)
ginger
2 tablespoons (finely minced or grated)
red chili pepper flakes
1 teaspoon
rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons
scallion
1/2 cup (finely sliced)
water
1/2 cup
cornstarch
1 1/2 tablespoons
cooked white rice
for garnish
dill or cilantro
for garnish
broccoli
for garnish (steamed)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing the Dino Nuggets: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, one egg, fresh breadcrumbs, buttermilk, sriracha sauce, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well incorporated.
2
Prepare your freezer: Line a cookie sheet that fits into your freezer with parchment paper. Arrange dinosaur cookie cutters on the sheet.
3
Shape the nuggets: Take tablespoon-sized portions of the chicken mixture and press them firmly into the cookie cutters to achieve an even layer, about 1/4 inch thick. Carefully lift the cookie cutters away and repeat until the tray is filled. Freeze the shaped nuggets for 1-2 hours until solid.
4
Set up the breading stations: In three shallow dishes, place flour in one, whisk the remaining egg with milk in the second, and panko breadcrumbs in the third.
5
Bread the nuggets: Once frozen, gently remove each dinosaur nugget from the parchment, and first coat them in flour, then dip in the egg mixture, and finally cover with panko breadcrumbs, ensuring they are evenly coated.
6
Fry the nuggets: Heat vegetable oil in a large, deep skillet to 350°F. Fry the nuggets in batches for 3-5 minutes on one side until golden brown, then flip and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes. Transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
7
Prepare the Orange Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, soy sauce, orange zest, and orange juice. In a large skillet, heat sesame oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic, ginger, and red chili pepper flakes, sautéing for one minute.
8
Add the prepared soy sauce mixture along with rice wine vinegar and sliced scallions. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
9
Thicken the sauce: In a separate small bowl, combine cornstarch and water until smooth, then stir this mixture into the skillet. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
10
Combine nuggets and sauce: Add the fried chicken nuggets to the skillet, flipping gently to coat them evenly in the vibrant orange sauce.
11
Assemble your jungle scene: Mold cooked white rice into small mounds on a serving plate. Garnish with steamed broccoli to evoke a 'jungle' atmosphere, and arrange the orange chicken nuggets artistically. Optionally, add dill or cilantro for a pop of color.
Nutrition Information
27.5g
Fat
47.5g
Carbs
25g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Dino Delight Orange-Chicken Bites?
They are crispy, dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets made from ground chicken and coated in a tangy, glossy orange sauce.
What type of chicken is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 1 pound of ground chicken which allows for easy molding into dinosaur shapes.
How do I create the dinosaur shapes for the nuggets?
Press the chicken mixture into dinosaur-shaped cookie cutters on a parchment-lined sheet, then lift the cutters away.
How long do the chicken nuggets need to be frozen?
The shaped nuggets should be frozen for 1 to 2 hours until they are solid before breading.
What is the calorie count for a serving of Dino Delight Orange-Chicken?
Each serving contains approximately 500 calories.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
What are the three steps in the breading process?
The nuggets are first coated in flour, then dipped in an egg and milk mixture, and finally covered in panko breadcrumbs.
What temperature should the oil be for frying?
The vegetable oil should be heated to 350°F in a large, deep skillet.
How long should I fry the chicken nuggets?
Fry the nuggets for 3-5 minutes on the first side and an additional 3-4 minutes on the other side until golden brown.
What ingredients provide the citrus flavor in the sauce?
The sauce uses both the zest of one orange and one cup of orange juice.
How is the orange sauce thickened?
The sauce is thickened by stirring in a mixture of 1.5 tablespoons of cornstarch and 1/2 cup of water.
Is the orange sauce spicy?
The sauce has a mild heat from 1 teaspoon of red chili pepper flakes, while the chicken mixture contains 2 teaspoons of sriracha.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are 25 grams of protein in each serving.
What kind of oil is used to sauté the aromatics for the sauce?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of sesame oil to sauté the garlic and ginger.
Can I substitute the sriracha sauce?
Yes, you can use any hot sauce of your choice as a substitute for sriracha.
What aromatics are used in the orange sauce?
The sauce features finely minced garlic, grated ginger, and finely sliced scallions.
How much fat is in one serving?
Each serving contains 27.5 grams of fat.
What are the total carbohydrates per serving?
There are 47.5 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What type of vinegar is used in the sauce?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of rice wine vinegar.
What is the recommended garnish for this dish?
The recipe suggests using cooked white rice, steamed broccoli, and optional dill or cilantro for a jungle-themed presentation.
Why is buttermilk used in the chicken mixture?
Buttermilk is used to add moisture and a slight tang to the ground chicken nuggets.
What kind of breadcrumbs are used for the coating?
Panko breadcrumbs are used to provide an extra crispy texture to the dinosaur nuggets.
How much ginger is required?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of finely minced or grated ginger.
What should I use to line the cookie sheet for freezing?
Use parchment paper to prevent the chicken shapes from sticking to the sheet.
How much brown sugar is in the sauce?
There is 1/4 cup of brown sugar to provide sweetness to the orange glaze.
What seasonings are added to the ground chicken?
The chicken is seasoned with dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
How much soy sauce is used?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of soy sauce.
What is the total ingredient count for this recipe?
The recipe utilizes 28 different ingredients.
Can I use fresh breadcrumbs in the chicken mixture?
Yes, the recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of plain fresh breadcrumbs inside the chicken nuggets.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
The recipe makes 4 servings, and the serving size is based on a quarter of the total yield.