Life is full of little stressors, isn’t it? Whether it be work, life, family, or a combo of the three, sometimes instead of screaming out into the universe, IIII’M STREESSSED (which, cough, I have been known to do) I’ll take a soul-cleansing walk outside, buy myself a bouquet of flowers, or simply think about things that have made me smile or laugh recently.
Lately that’s included…
Dunkin’ Donuts Iced Coffee. It was finally warm enough to switch from hot beverages to cool sips last week, so I took a chance and ordered my first ever Dunkin’ Donuts’ iced coffee one morning. With a hit of milk and sugar, it was even more delish than I imagined. Not too sweet nor bitter at all, and perfect with a chocolate munchkin or two. A DD is moving in fairly close to my house in a few months and, well, I’m scared.
My little brother. Both my brothers make me laugh but I tell you what, my little brother, whom I don’t get to see nearly enough as he lives in Denver, makes me laugh out loud like a maniac. I Facetimed with him last week as he was recovering from Lasik eye surgery and my face hurt by the time we hung up. He so crazy.
Becoming a Mama. Ben and I went to a couple’s shower over the weekend for some friends who are a few weeks ahead of us and shared a few laughs over new, much earlier bedtimes, increased trips to the restroom, and the strange things strangers say to pregnant women. As relatively painless (well, tell that to my sciatic) as this pregnancy as been, I can’t wait to meet our little munchkin. Like, really, really can’t wait.
Ben: They say pregnancy makes you fall even more in love with your husband or partner and, while I didn’t think that was possible, I suppose it’s true. Without making you want to barf, he’s the first thing I think of when I need a mood lift. Especially his patented orange wedge smile which he likes to surprise me with and then pretend nothing’s amiss. It pretty much makes me the happiest person on the planet.
Speaking of oranges, I totally believe in the calming powers of scent and taste, and there is something so uplifting about a sweet and citrusy orange. I’ve been buying sacks of ’em like a mad woman lately, using them to both (help) satisfy my sweet tooth in the evening, and juice in the morning with carrots and ginger for a fresh wake up call. Nature’s perfect treat, if you ask me.
This weekend I harnessed the fresh, bright taste of oranges and used them in Blue Moon Orange Chicken!Â
Blue Moon Orange Chicken is a quick and easy skillet supper that incorporates sauteed chicken with an easy pan sauce of Blue Moon beer, low-sodium soy sauce, and freshly squeezed orange juice.
Orange slices squeezed into a freshly poured Blue Moon just happens to be one of my summertime treats, and the flavor combo is just as tasty – nay, tastier! – in this recipe. A little sweet, a little savory, and a little salty. I inhaled this light and springy dish!
Start the Blue Moon Chicken by brushing 1lb chicken breasts on both sides with extra virgin olive oil, seasoning with salt and pepper, and then sauteing in a skillet over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes a side, or until done.
Slide ’em off onto a plate then set aside.
Next, reduce the heat to medium then heat 1-1/2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, and then add 2 large shallots sliced thin. Saute until translucent, about 1-2 minutes.
Now add 1 cup Blue Moon beer and 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce (don’t use regular – it will be way too salty!)
FYI – you can use whatever wheat beer you have in the house but, as I mentioned, Blue Moon pairs terrifically with oranges. You’ll just love it in here!
Next squeeze in the juice of 2 oranges.
Turn the heat up to bring the liquid to a boil then simmer until slightly thickened, about 4-5 minutes. If you are worried about serving this dish to children or pregnant women, the alcohol will cook out in this step leaving a savory, subtle taste of beer behind.
Add the chicken breasts back into the skillet to warm through.
Serve, spooning the orange-beer sauce over, then dig in!
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Blue Moon Orange Chicken
Description
Blue Moon Orange Chicken is a quick and easy skillet supper with an easy Blue Moon beer pan sauce.
Ingredients
- 1lb chicken breasts, pounded thin
- extra virgin olive oil, for brushing
- salt & pepper
- 1-1/2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 large shallots, sliced thin
- 1 cup Blue Moon beer
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce (do not use regular)
- juice of 2 oranges
Directions
- Brush both sides of chicken breasts with extra virgin olive oil then season with salt and pepper. Cook in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes a side, or until cooked through, then remove to a plate and set aside.
- Turn heat down to medium, add extra virgin olive oil to skillet, and then add shallots. Cook shallots until translucent, about 1 minute, then add beer, soy sauce, and orange juice. Turn heat up and bring mixture to a boil then cook, scraping up brown bits from bottom of skillet with a wooden spoon, until sauce has reduced and thickened, 4-5 minutes. Add chicken back to skillet then coat with sauce and serve.
Notes
Slightly adapted from Cooking Light
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
I practically licked the extra sauce off my plate, it was so good! Just a hint of orange – definitely not too sweet – and that soy sauce was the perfect accent flavor.
I served roasted asparagus on the side – just asparagus with the end snapped off then tossed with extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper and then roasted for 10 minutes at 425 degrees. Fresh asparagus was everywhere at the Farmers’ Market this weekend. It is so good right now!
Karla Kammerer Shedd 05.28.2013
Made this tonight for dinner – DELISH!!! It will be added to our favorites
Julia 05.19.2013
I have been craving this since I saw it on Monday. Finally made it last night and OH MAN was it good!!! Thank you!
Megan 05.18.2013
You are too cute for words!! And that chicken recipe looks amazing – saving it!
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Dawn 05.15.2013
Yum, that chicken and asparagus looks so good. And I am so jealous of your Dunkin’ donuts! The closet one to me is more than 100 miles away :( Oh well, I’m doing the INSANITY challenge right now so I shouldn’t be eating donuts anyways – haha.
Tracy 05.15.2013
Unrelated: When do we get to hear about the “special project” you & Ben are working on?
Lindsay 05.15.2013
Yum! Great minds! I adapted this same recipe recently, also using Blue Moon. I used half of the beer in the sauce and used the other in a marinade with some fresh orange juice. More on that here if you are interested! http://www.perfectingthepairing.com/2013/04/honey-beer-chicken.html
Teresa@SassySuburbanite 05.15.2013
I will be trying this one soon. We’re trying to low carb it for a while after eating ourselves silly on our honeymoon. This looks like one that I could make quickly on a weeknight as well. This is my first visit of many to your site.
Teresa
Natasha 05.15.2013
I’m so happy for you and your hubby :) The recipe looks so delish! A tid bit of info for your cravings(I don’t have children – but if I was preggers I would give this a go) – I saw the most incredible sandwich on Joy the Baker – PB and Sweet pickles drizzled with honey – sounds kinda crazy – but I think you should try it!
ps – your brother looks very mysterious with his terminator glasses on – and by the sounds of it will make an amazing uncle :)
june 05.15.2013
i’m not a really big beer drinker, but i love blue moon and an orange slice. have you tried their seasonal line called valencia orange (i believe that’s the name)? i think you’d really like it…i do!
Peter 05.15.2013
mmmm that chicken looks really really good with sweet potatoe rolls sounds like an awesome combination
Mandy 05.14.2013
Oooh, this looks so good! Blue Moon is by far one of my favorite brews, but I never even considered using it in a dinner!
marcie@flavorthemoments 05.14.2013
Blue Moon with an orange slice is one of my favorite summer cocktails, so I know I’ll love this! I make Alexia sweet potato fries often — we’re all crazy about them. Can’t wait to try those rolls!
Kammie @ Sensual Appeal 05.14.2013
Oh man, how does your photography always look so freaking AMAZING?! I look up to you, seriously. So good. And I LOVE Blue Moon – one of my favorite beers. Perfect for summer with the orange wedge. Great recipe for the chicken too :)
Alaina @ Fabtastic Eats 05.14.2013
Blue moon and orange is one of my favorite treats in the summer as well! so refreshing! This sounds and looks so tasty! Cant wait to try it!
Pregnancy is such a fun time, (for most!) Im so happy for you! Enjoy every moment!
Vonna Viglione 05.14.2013
Kristin, the recipe looks good but I was actually going to add something here about your comments about “humor”. One of my favorite and VERY family friendly humorists is Jeanne Robertson. She is SUCH a delightful commentator on all things “human” and has some funny stories to share but the one I thought you and your own dear husband might enjoy is the one about when he went to the grocery store for her… You’ll find it by going to her website:
and select “Don’t send a man to the Grocery Store” from the Video Clips section…..
Jamie @ Sometimes Healthy Living Blog 05.14.2013
Wow – this looks amazing. I’m a huge Blue Moon fan, so this is definitely going on my Pinterest board. Also, a great way for you to enjoy the flavor of beer without drinking it while you are pregnant :-)
Sara M. 05.14.2013
When I was pregnant all I wanted for a few months solid was Cara Cara oranges. Juiced with carrots and ginger sounds like a good morning sickness remedy… much tastier than ginger tea:) Best wished on your adventures in Mommyhood!