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Easy Orange Chicken Recipe: A Quick and Delicious Guide

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  • Author: Sam
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

Craving takeout-style orange chicken at home? This quick and easy recipe delivers crispy, juicy chicken coated in a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy orange sauce. With simple ingredients and step-by-step instructions, you can make restaurant-quality orange chicken in just 30 minutes!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crispy Chicken:

  • 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp white pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Orange Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (or store-bought)
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce (low sodium)
  • 2 tbsp honey (or brown sugar)
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp grated ginger
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
  • 1/2 tsp orange zest
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry for thickening)
  • 1 tsp sesame oil (for flavor)

For Garnish:

  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 1 stalk green onions, chopped

Instructions

Step 1: Coat and Fry the Chicken

  1. In a bowl, mix cornstarch, flour, salt, white pepper, and garlic powder.
  2. Dip each piece of chicken into the beaten egg, then coat in the dry mixture.
  3. Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
  4. Fry the chicken in batches for 4-5 minutes, until golden brown. Remove and drain on a wire rack.

Step 2: Make the Orange Sauce

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, soy sauce, honey, vinegar, ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, and orange zest.
  2. Heat a pan over medium heat and pour in the sauce mixture.
  3. Once simmering, add the cornstarch slurry and stir until thickened.
  4. Add sesame oil and stir well.

Step 3: Toss and Serve

  1. Add the crispy chicken to the sauce and toss until fully coated.
  2. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
  3. Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

Notes

For extra crunch, double-fry the chicken by frying it a second time at 375°F (190°C) for 2 minutes.
Adjust sweetness by adding more or less honey or brown sugar.
For a healthier version, air fry the chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes, flipping halfway.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheat in an oven or air fryer.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Deep Frying
  • Cuisine: Chinese-American

Find it online: https://www.freshleafrecipes.com/easy-orange-chicken-recipe-a-quick-and-delicious-guide/