If using dates: Soak three medjool dates in about 2 tbsp of hot water at least 15 minutes before you start this recipe. I usually soak them the day before and keep them in the fridge so they are extra soft. Use 2-3 tbsp of honey instead if you are not doing Whole30. If using honey, you can skip steps 1 and 3.
Juice the oranges to get ¾ cup of juice (about 3 navel oranges).
Combine the juice, soaked dates and soaking liquid in a small blender. Blend until it is mostly smooth.
Pour the mixture through a mesh strainer. If it gets clogged, just rinse the pulp from the strainer and continue to strain until all you have is the liquid.
Pour the liquid into a sauce pan over medium heat.
Take 1 ½ tsp of cassava flour and mix in 2 tbsp of cold water to dissolve. After the cassava has dissolved into the liquid, add this to the sauce pan.
Add the remaining ingredients to the sauce pan. Whisk together. Add salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to taste.
Allow the sauce to heat for about 5-10 minutes or until you notice the mixture thickening. Remove from heat and set aside.
Crispy Chicken
Whisk the egg in a bowl.
Salt the chicken breast tenders and cut into about 1 inch pieces. Add to bowl with egg.
Mix together the paprika, garlic powder, black pepper and cassava flour in another bowl.
Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
Dredge the chicken with the cassava mixture, piece by piece. Add dredged chicken to pan once the oil is hot.
Allow chicken to brown, about 2-5 minutes. Flip the chicken and allow to brown on the other side. Do this until all the chicken has been cooked. Add more oil if needed.
Remove cooked chicken from the pan. Top chicken with sauce before serving. Pair with rice, cauliflower rice or stir fried veggies.
Notes
To soaking and straining the dates, you could use 1 tbsp of honey in place of the dates.You can use store bought orange juice if this is something you would prefer.The calories account for all the sauce and all the cooking oil divided amount three servings. Some cooking oil will likely be left in the pan and actual calories consumed may be less.