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. It’s quick, flavorful, and perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. Serve it with rice and steamed vegetables for a complete meal that’s sure to satisfy!
Ingredients
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:
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (about 2–3 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
-
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 it’s fully coated. -
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 350°F or 175°C), 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. -
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. -
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. -
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.
- If you don’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