I know very little about the celebration and traditions of the Chinese New Year. After only scratching the surface, I can appreciate the importance of family during the celebration and the incredible amount of symbolism on the banquet table. Traditionally whole fish and chicken are served, and I mean whole, head to tail and feet, something we don’t often see here in North America. Serving them whole symbolizes togetherness and prosperity through the year; they are also served whole because the act of cutting and slicing has negative connotations, such as severing family ties. Oranges and tangerines are given as gifts because the represent wealth and good fortune as they are China’s most plentiful fruit. This simple recipe combines chicken and oranges resulting in a dinner that will bring prosperity and good fortune to your family for the year to come.
Mandarin Orange Chicken
Makes: 1 whole Chicken
Serves: 4
Prep time: 15 minutes plus 4-6 hours marinating time
Total time: 85 minutes plus 4-6 hours marinating time
1 whole chicken
1 ¼ cups (313 ml) Compliments Sensations Mandarin Ginger Vinaigrette [1], divided
1 orange
1 bulb of garlic, sliced in half
1 shallot, sliced in half
1 red chili pepper, halved
1 bunch compliments parsley
1 knob of ginger, roughly sliced
¼ cup (63 ml) Compliments Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce [2]
2 tbsp (30 ml) Compliments Soy Sauce [3]
Sea salt and pepper to taste
1 can (284 ml) Compliments Mandarin Oranges [4], drained
- Wash the chicken inside and out, pat dry with paper towel and combine in a very large sealable plastic freezer bag with the mandarin ginger vinaigrette. Squeeze out the air, set the bag in a large bowl and refrigerate for 4-6 hours.
- Per-heat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and microwave the orange for 30 seconds to warm it through, then cut in half. Remove the chicken from the marinade and season well inside and out with sea salt and pepper. Set the chicken in a roasting pan on a rack and stuff the cavity of the chicken with the hot orange, garlic, shallot, chili pepper, parsley and ginger. Transfer to the oven and roast until cooked through and has reached an internal temperature of 170°F (77°C), about 60-75 minutes.
- While the chicken is roasting; mix together the remaining ¼ cup (63 ml) of vinaigrette, with the sweet chili dipping sauce and soy sauce. During the last 15-20 minutes of cooking brush the surface of the chicken with the glaze repeatedly.
- Serve whole, enjoy happiness and prosperity!
According to Chinese astrology, 2009 is the Year of the Earth Ox. People born in ox years are natural leaders: calm, responsible, hard-working, and modest.
Happy Cooking!
Chef Ryan Skelton