For my daughter’s birthday dinner party I made the “Sesame Chicken Fix” recipe on p. 118 of the relatively new Trim Healthy Future book, with some adaptations.

It was yummy but I decided to change it up. First, I wanted to make it orange-y chicken. Second, I’d rather eat chicken with bone in it to add the healthful glycine factor from the bone and the collagen from the skin. Third, I want to avoid having to tediously chop up chicken breasts. Fourth, I’d rather dump and cook then have to be over the stove, stirring and constantly checking to see when the chicken is done. More tediousness. Lastly, I want it slightly crispy at the end.

So I have adapted the recipe and here you go!

8-12 chicken drumsticks or thighs

1 cup water

1/2 tsp mineral salt

1/4 c soy sauce

1 T apple cider vinegar

2 T plus 1 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

1 tsp powdered ginger

10-20 drops orange essential oil

zest of two oranges

chopped green onions for topping

Put all of the above in an instant pot and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes.

While the chicken is cooking, thinly slice up a head of cabbage (have one of your kiddos do that) and saute a handful or two, per person eating it, in 1-2 T of butter on low, after you sprinkle the cabbage with salt and black pepper. (Save the rest of the cabbage for later to eat whenever you want a non-starchy substitute for rice or pasta.)

Then cut up green onions and toast some sesame seeds on low dry heat if you want some crunch to top your chicken with.

If you have people eating with you who don’t care about keto then cook up rice for them.

Let the steam release naturally if you have time, otherwise, release it manually. While it’s releasing, preheat oven to broil at 375. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and put chicken pieces on it, then place under the broiler for 5 minutes or until crispy golden brown.

While the chicken is broiling, add these ingredients to the liquid left in the instant pot, after you turn the setting to “saute,” to make the orange sauce:

1 tsp to 1 T sesame oil, to your liking

2 T Lakanto monk fruit sweetener blend

after the liquid boils, add 1 T glucomannan powder while whisking briskly to avoid clumping. Turn off the Instant Pot. Serve the sauce in a bowl to put over chicken, rice, or veggies.

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