Orange Chicken : This Chinese-American dish perfectly balances crispy fried chicken pieces with a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy orange sauce. It’s a popular takeout option but can be made right at home with fresh ingredients.
Why You’ll Love This Orange Chicken Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Better Than Takeout: With fresh ingredients, you’ll enjoy a healthier and more flavorful version.
- Versatile: Easily adjust the sweetness, spiciness, or even make it gluten-free!
Tips and Tricks for the Best Orange Chicken
- For Extra Crunch: Double-dip the chicken pieces in egg and the flour-cornstarch mixture before frying.
- Adjust the Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet sauce, reduce the brown sugar to ¼ cup. For more sweetness, add a tablespoon of honey.
- Make it Spicy: Add a teaspoon of chili garlic sauce or more red pepper flakes to the sauce for a spicy kick.
- Avoiding Soggy Chicken: Only toss the chicken in the sauce right before serving to keep it crispy.
Variations of Orange Chicken
- Gluten-Free Orange Chicken: Swap regular soy sauce for tamari and use a gluten-free flour blend.
- Keto Orange Chicken: Use almond flour instead of cornstarch and flour for coating. Replace sugar with a low-carb sweetener like erythritol.
- Baked Orange Chicken: Instead of frying, bake the coated chicken pieces on a baking sheet at 400°F for 20-25 minutes or until crispy.
- Vegetarian Option: Substitute chicken with crispy tofu or cauliflower florets for a vegetarian-friendly version.
How to Serve Orange Chicken
- With Rice: Orange Chicken pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine rice or fried rice, making it a complete meal.
- With Veggies: Balance the sweetness with a side of stir-fried vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or snow peas.
- In a Bowl: Create an Orange Chicken bowl by layering rice, veggies, and the chicken, then drizzle extra sauce on top for an easy-to-eat meal.
How to Store and Reheat Orange Chicken
- Refrigerating: Store leftover Orange Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: To freeze, place the chicken and sauce separately in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Reheat the chicken in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes to regain its crispiness. Warm the sauce on the stove and toss with the chicken before serving.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use store-bought orange juice instead of freshly squeezed?
Yes, but fresh orange juice gives a more vibrant and natural flavor. If using store-bought, opt for one without added sugar to control the sweetness.
How do I make the sauce thicker?
If the sauce is too thin, add more cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water) and simmer for an additional minute.
Why is my chicken not crispy?
Ensure the oil is hot enough (around 350°F) before frying and don’t overcrowd the pan. Fry in small batches to maintain the temperature.
Can I make this recipe in an air fryer?
Absolutely! Coat the chicken as directed and place in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spray with oil and cook at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
What can I use instead of rice vinegar?
If you don’t have rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar or white vinegar can be used as a substitute. Adjust the quantity as these can be slightly stronger in flavor.
Orange Chicken
Orange Chicken : This Chinese-American dish perfectly balances crispy fried chicken pieces with a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy orange sauce. It's a popular takeout option but can be made right at home with fresh ingredients.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1/3 cup Flour
- Salt
- 3 Eggs, whisked
- 1/3 cup Cornstarch
- Oil for frying
For the Orange Sauce:
- 1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder (or 2 finely diced garlic cloves)
- 2 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar (or White Vinegar)
- 1 cup Orange Juice
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce (or Tamari for gluten-free)
- 1/4 teaspoon Ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon Red Chili Flakes
- 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
- Zest from 1 orange
For Garnish:
- Extra Orange Zest
- Green Onions
Instructions
Make the Orange Sauce:
- In a medium pot, combine orange juice, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and chili flakes. Heat for about 3 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to make a paste. Add this to the orange sauce.
- Whisk and cook for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens. Once thickened, remove from heat and stir in orange zest.
Prepare the Chicken:
- In a shallow dish, mix flour, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt.
- In a separate shallow dish, whisk the eggs.
- Dip each chicken piece into the egg mixture, then coat in the flour mixture. Set aside on a plate.
Fry the Chicken:
- Heat 2-3 inches of oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F.
- Fry the chicken in small batches for 2-3 minutes, turning until golden brown. Place on paper towels to drain any excess oil.
Combine and Serve:
- Toss the crispy chicken in the warm orange sauce until coated. For extra flavor, reserve some sauce to drizzle over rice.
- Serve with a sprinkle of green onions and a bit more orange zest. Enjoy with steamed rice or your favorite side.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 336Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 147mgSodium: 647mgCarbohydrates: 57gFiber: 2gSugar: 33gProtein: 10g
Chickenrecipes.blog, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thoughts
With this easy and flavorful Orange Chicken recipe, you’ll have no reason to order takeout again. It’s the perfect blend of crispy and juicy chicken, with a sauce that’s rich in citrusy sweetness and just a hint of spice. Whether you’re serving it as a family dinner or treating yourself, this dish is sure to impress.
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