Hello, Good News! Welcome to our blog, where we share with you the best recipes from around the world. Today, we are going to show you how to make Montana chicken, a sweet and tangy dish that is perfect for any occasion. Montana chicken is a recipe that originated from The Montana Cookbook, a collection of recipes from the Big Sky state[^1^]. It has been modified over the years to suit different tastes and preferences, but the basic ingredients remain the same: chicken, mandarin oranges, pineapple, molasses, mustard, vinegar, soy sauce, lime juice, ginger, garlic, and cornstarch. Sounds delicious, right?
Montana chicken is easy to make and can be cooked in the oven or in an Instant Pot. It goes well with brown rice and stir-fried broccoli, or any other side dish you like. The sauce is thick and rich, and the chicken is tender and juicy. The fruit adds a nice touch of sweetness and freshness to balance out the savory flavors. Montana chicken is a dish that will please everyone in your family, and it is also great for potlucks and parties. In this article, we will show you how to make Montana chicken in both ways: oven-baked and pressure-cooked. We will also give you some tips and tricks to make it even better. Let’s get started!
What You Need to Make Montana Chicken
Ingredients
To make Montana chicken, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 1/2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs or tenderloins
- 1 (11 oz) can of mandarin oranges
- 1 (8 oz) can of pineapple tidbits
- 1/3 cup of cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup of prepared mustard (yellow or Dijon)
- 1/3 cup of molasses or honey
- 1 tablespoon of low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice or lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon of grated ginger root
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons of cornstarch + 3 tablespoons of water (for slurry)
Equipment
To make Montana chicken, you will need the following equipment:
- A large baking dish (for oven method) or an Instant Pot (for pressure cooker method)
- A saucepan
- A whisk or a fork
- A measuring cup and spoons
- A cutting board and a knife
- Kitchen shears (optional)
- A small bowl
- A spoon or a spatula
How to Make Montana Chicken in the Oven
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Chicken
The first step to make Montana chicken in the oven is to preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Then, use kitchen shears or a knife to trim off any excess fat from the chicken thighs or tenderloins. Cut them into 1 inch chunks and place them in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
Step 2: Make the Sauce and Coat the Chicken
The next step is to make the sauce and coat the chicken with it. To do this, open the cans of mandarin oranges and pineapple tidbits and drain the juice into a measuring cup. You should have about 1 cup of juice. Pour it into a saucepan and add the vinegar, mustard, molasses, soy sauce, lime juice, ginger, garlic, and salt. Whisk everything together until well combined. Bring the sauce to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
Once the sauce is ready, pour it over the chicken pieces in the baking dish, reserving about 1/4 cup for later. Make sure all the chicken is coated with the sauce. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
Step 3: Add the Fruit and Thicken the Sauce
The last step is to add the fruit and thicken the sauce. To do this, take out the baking dish from the oven and remove the foil. Add the mandarin oranges and pineapple tidbits on top of the chicken. Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes or until the fruit is heated through.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth. This is called a slurry and it will help thicken the sauce. Transfer the reserved sauce to a small saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir in the slurry and cook, stirring, until the sauce is thick and glossy, about 2 minutes.
Once the chicken and fruit are done, take out the baking dish from the oven and drizzle the thickened sauce over everything. Serve hot with rice and broccoli or your favorite side dish. Enjoy!
How to Make Montana Chicken in an Instant Pot
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken and Add It to the Instant Pot
If you want to make Montana chicken in an Instant Pot, the first step is to prepare the chicken and add it to the Instant Pot. To do this, use kitchen shears or a knife to trim off any excess fat from the chicken thighs or tenderloins. Cut them into 1 inch chunks and place them in the Instant Pot.
Step 2: Make the Sauce and Pour It over the Chicken
The next step is to make the sauce and pour it over the chicken. To do this, open the cans of mandarin oranges and pineapple tidbits and drain the juice into a measuring cup. You should have about 1 cup of juice. Pour it into a small bowl and add the vinegar, mustard, molasses, soy sauce, lime juice, ginger, garlic, and salt. Whisk everything together until well combined. Pour the sauce over the chicken in the Instant Pot, reserving about 1/4 cup for later.
Step 3: Pressure Cook the Chicken
The third step is to pressure cook the chicken. To do this, cover the Instant Pot with its lid and make sure the valve is set to sealing. Press the manual or pressure cook button and set the time to 3 minutes on high pressure. When the time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 5 to 10 minutes, then turn the valve to venting and release any remaining pressure. Carefully open the lid and check if the chicken is cooked through.
Step 4: Add the Fruit and Thicken the Sauce
The last step is to add the fruit and thicken the sauce. To do this, turn on the saute function on the Instant Pot and stir in the mandarin oranges and pineapple tidbits. Let them heat up for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth. This is called a slurry and it will help thicken the sauce. Stir in the slurry into the Instant Pot and cook, stirring, until the sauce is thick and glossy, about 2 minutes.
Once everything is done, turn off the Instant Pot and serve hot with rice and broccoli or your favorite side dish. Enjoy!
A Table Breakdown of Montana Chicken Recipe
| Ingredient | Oven Method | Instant Pot Method |
|---|---|---|
| Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or tenderloins | Cut into 1 inch chunks and bake for 45 minutes | Cut into 1 inch chunks and pressure cook for 3 minutes |
| Mandarin oranges | Drain juice for sauce; add fruit after baking | Drain juice for sauce; add fruit after pressure cooking |
| Pineapple tidbits | Drain juice for sauce; add fruit after baking | Drain juice for sauce; add fruit after pressure cooking |
| Cider vinegar | Add to saucepan with other ingredients; simmer for 10 minutes | Add to bowl with other ingredients; whisk well |
| Prepared mustard (yellow or Dijon) | Add to saucepan with other ingredients; simmer for 10 minutes | Add to bowl with other ingredients; whisk well |
| Molasses or honey | Add to saucepan with other ingredients; simmer for 10 minutes | Add to bowl with other ingredients; whisk well |
| Low sodium soy sauce | Add to saucepan with other ingredients; simmer for 10 minutes | Add to bowl with other ingredients; whisk well |
| Fresh lime juice or lemon juice | Add to saucepan with other ingredients; simmer for 10 minutes | Add to bowl with other ingredients; whisk well |
| Grated ginger root | Add to saucepan with other ingredients; simmer for 10 minutes | Add to bowl with other ingredients; whisk well |
| Garlic cloves, minced | Add to saucepan with other ingredients; simmer for 10 minutes | Add to bowl with other ingredients; whisk well |
| Kosher salt | Add to saucepan with other ingredients; simmer for 10 minutes | Add to bowl with other ingredients; whisk well |
| Cornstarch + water (for slurry) | Whisk together in a small bowl; stir into reserved sauce and boil for 2 minutes | Whisk together in a small bowl; stir into Instant Pot and saute for 2 minutes |
FAQs about Montana Chicken Recipe
What is Montana chicken?
Montana chicken is a sweet and tangy dish that is made with chicken, mandarin oranges, pineapple, molasses, mustard, vinegar, soy sauce, lime juice, ginger, garlic, and cornstarch. It is a recipe that originated from The Montana Cookbook, a collection of recipes from the Big Sky state. It can be cooked in the oven or in an Instant Pot.
Why is it called Montana chicken?
It is called Montana chicken because it is a recipe that was first published in The Montana Cookbook, a collection of recipes from the Big Sky state. The cookbook was compiled by the Montana Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1976 and featured recipes from various regions and ethnic groups of Montana. The cookbook aimed to preserve the culinary heritage of Montana and showcase its diversity and richness.
What does Montana chicken taste like?
Montana chicken tastes like a combination of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. The sauce is thick and rich, and the chicken is tender and juicy. The fruit adds a nice touch of sweetness and freshness to balance out the savory flavors. Montana chicken has a complex and delicious flavor profile that will please everyone in your family.
What can I serve with Montana chicken?
You can serve Montana chicken with any side dish you like, but some of the most popular options are brown rice and stir-fried broccoli. Brown rice complements the sauce well and adds some fiber and whole grains to your meal. Stir-fried broccoli adds some crunch and color to your plate and provides some vitamins and minerals. You can also serve Montana chicken with noodles, quinoa, salad, or bread.
How can I make Montana chicken healthier?
If you want to make Montana chicken healthier, you can make some simple substitutions or adjustments to the recipe. For example, you can use skinless chicken breasts instead of thighs or tenderloins to reduce the fat content. You can also use honey instead of molasses to lower the sugar content. You can also use low sodium soy sauce and mustard to reduce the sodium content. You can also add more vegetables to your dish, such as carrots, bell peppers, or snow peas.
How can I make Montana chicken spicier?
If you want to make Montana chicken spicier, you can add some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the sauce. You can also use spicy mustard instead of yellow or Dijon mustard. You can also add some fresh or dried chili peppers to your dish, such as jalapenos, serranos, or habaneros. Be careful not to add too much spice, as it might overpower the other flavors.
How can I store leftover Montana chicken?
You can store leftover Montana chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. To reheat it, you can microwave it on high for 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through. You can also bake it in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes or until bubbly.
Can I use fresh fruit instead of canned fruit for Montana chicken?
You can use fresh fruit instead of canned fruit for Montana chicken, but you will need to adjust the amount of juice you use for the sauce. Canned fruit comes with juice that adds flavor and liquid to the sauce. Fresh fruit does not have as much juice, so you will need to add some water or chicken broth to the sauce to make up for the difference. You will also need to peel and chop the fresh fruit before adding it to the dish.
Can I use a different type of fruit for Montana chicken?
You can use a different type of fruit for Montana chicken, but you will need to make sure that it goes well with the sauce and the chicken. Some of the fruits that you can try are peaches, apricots, mangoes, or cherries. You can also use a combination of different fruits to create a more colorful and flavorful dish. You can use fresh or canned fruit, but remember to adjust the amount of juice you use for the sauce accordingly.
Can I use a different type of meat for Montana chicken?
You can use a different type of meat for Montana chicken, but you will need to adjust the cooking time and method accordingly. Some of the meats that you can try are pork, turkey, beef, or tofu. You can also use bone-in or skin-on chicken pieces, but you will need to increase the baking or pressure cooking time and remove the skin before serving. You can also use fish or shrimp, but you will need to reduce the baking or pressure cooking time and add them at the end of the cooking process.
Conclusion
Montana chicken is a delicious and easy recipe that you can make in the oven or in an Instant Pot. It is a sweet and tangy dish that is made with chicken, mandarin oranges, pineapple, molasses, mustard, vinegar, soy sauce, lime juice, ginger, garlic, and cornstarch. It goes well with rice and broccoli or any other side dish you like. Montana chicken is a dish that will impress your family and friends with its complex and satisfying flavor.
We hope you enjoyed this article and learned how to make Montana chicken in both ways: oven-baked and pressure-cooked. We also hope you found our tips and tricks useful and helpful. If you have any questions or comments about this recipe, feel free to leave them below. We would love to hear from you!
Thank you for reading our blog and stay tuned for more amazing recipes from around the world. Until next time, Good News!