This recipe provides two variations for a delicious chicken dish: one with an Oriental marinade and the other with a creamy curried peanut sauce. The first variation features chicken tenders marinated overnight, while the second uses chicken breasts cut into cubes and coated in a flavorful sauce with roasted peanuts.

 

Variation 1: Oriental Chicken Tenders

 

This recipe is simple to prepare and results in flavorful, tender chicken.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup soy sauce

  • 1/3 cup sugar

  • 4 tsp. vegetable oil

  • 1 1/2 tsp. ground ginger

  • 1 tsp. five spice powder

  • 2 bunches green onion

  • 16 chicken tenders (approx. 2 lbs.)

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, blend the soy sauce, sugar, oil, ginger, and five spice powder until the sugar is dissolved.

  2. Stir in the green onions.

  3. Add the chicken tenders to the marinade, turning to coat each piece.

  4. Cover and refrigerate the chicken overnight.

  5. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

  6. Drain the chicken, but be sure to reserve the marinade.

  7. Arrange the chicken in a baking dish and bake until it is brown and tender, basting occasionally with the reserved marinade.

 

Variation 2: Curried Peanut Chicken

 

This version is great for a unique appetizer and is served with fancy toothpicks.

Ingredients:

  • 4 halves, skinned & boned chicken breasts

  • 2 cups half & half

  • 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise

  • 3 tbsp. mango chutney

  • 2 tbsp. dry sherry

  • 1 tbsp. sherry vinegar

  • 2 tbsp. plus 1 tsp. curry powder

  • 1 tsp. turmeric

  • 2 cups finely chopped salted roasted peanuts

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

  2. Place the chicken breasts in a shallow baking dish that is just large enough to hold them.

  3. Pour the half and half over the chicken and bake for 30 minutes.

  4. Let the chicken cool, then cut it into 1-inch cubes.

  5. In a blender or food processor, process the mayonnaise, chutney, sherry, vinegar, curry powder, and turmeric.

  6. Dip each chicken cube into the curry mayonnaise mixture, then roll it in the chopped peanuts.

  7. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

  8. Arrange on a serving plate with fancy toothpicks.