Description
This Easy Orange Chicken recipe offers a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors with tender, crispy chicken pieces coated in a homemade orange sauce. It’s a delightful Asian-inspired main course that you can quickly prepare at home, delivering restaurant-quality taste with simple ingredients and straightforward steps.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Vegetable oil for frying
Orange Sauce
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish (optional)
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Coat the Chicken: In a bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces in cornstarch until fully and evenly coated. Then dip each piece into the beaten eggs to prepare for frying.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken pieces in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the fried chicken onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Prepare the Orange Sauce: In a separate saucepan, combine orange juice, sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes if desired. Bring this mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
- Thicken the Sauce: Stir in the cornstarch slurry and continue cooking the sauce for 2 to 3 minutes until it thickens to a glossy consistency.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Add the fried chicken pieces to the thickened orange sauce and toss thoroughly to coat each piece evenly. Cook together for an additional minute to meld the flavors.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve the orange chicken hot, ideally over steamed rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For a shortcut, use pre-cooked chicken or air-fried nuggets instead of frying fresh chicken.
- Adjust the sugar or rice vinegar in the sauce to make it sweeter or more tangy according to your preference.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed broccoli or snap peas for a complete meal.
