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Easy Orange Chicken


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  • Author: Olivia
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

This Easy Orange Chicken is a homemade version of the popular takeout dish, packed with crispy chicken and coated in a sweet, tangy orange sauce. Itโ€™s quick, flavorful, and perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. Serve it with rice and steamed vegetables for a complete meal thatโ€™s sure to satisfy!


Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • Vegetable oil, for frying

For the Orange Sauce:

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  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (about 2โ€“3 oranges)
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch, mixed with 1 tablespoon water to form a slurry
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional)
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • Zest of 1 orange (optional, for extra citrus flavor)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken:
    In a bowl, mix the flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Dip each piece of chicken into the beaten eggs, then dredge it in the flour mixture, ensuring itโ€™s fully coated.

  2. Fry the Chicken:
    Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot (around 350ยฐF or 175ยฐC), carefully add the chicken pieces in batches, frying them until golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes. Remove the cooked chicken from the oil and drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining chicken.

  3. Make the Orange Sauce:
    In a separate saucepan, combine the orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, honey, and ginger (if using). Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once the sauce begins to bubble, add the cornstarch slurry and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring until the sauce thickens. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using), and cook for another minute.

  4. Coat the Chicken in Sauce:
    Once the sauce is thickened, add the fried chicken to the skillet with the sauce, tossing to coat the chicken evenly. Allow it to cook for another 2-3 minutes, so the chicken absorbs the sauce.

  5. Serve:
    Serve the orange chicken hot, garnished with orange zest if desired, and paired with steamed rice and vegetables.

Notes

  • For an extra crispy coating, you can double coat the chicken by dipping the pieces in the egg and flour mixture a second time before frying.
  • If you prefer a less sweet sauce, reduce the sugar and honey.
  • To make the dish spicier, add more red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.

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  • If you donโ€™t have fresh oranges, you can
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish, Chinese-Inspired, Comfort Food
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Chinese-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
  • Calories: 350 kcal
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 900mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 20g
  • Cholesterol: 60mg