This Orange Chicken Recipe is incredibly delicious! It offers the perfect balance of savory and citrusy notes, making it a crowd-pleaser for any occasion. The crispy texture of the fried chicken contrasts beautifully with the velvety smoothness of the orange sauce, creating a satisfying culinary experience with every bite.
This recipe comes together quickly, with minimal prep time and simple cooking techniques. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Orange Chicken can be served as a main dish with rice or noodles, or as an appetizer for parties and gatherings. Its versatility makes it suitable for a variety of occasions.
Overall, Orange Chicken is a flavorful and satisfying dish that’s easy to make at home. With its delicious taste, versatility, and simplicity, it’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection!
Here are some cooking tips to help you make the perfect Orange Chicken
- Prep Ingredients in Advance: Before you start cooking, make sure to prep all your ingredients. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, measure out the sauce ingredients, and have everything ready to go. This will help streamline the cooking process.
- Use High-Quality Ingredients: For the best flavor, use high-quality ingredients, especially when it comes to the orange juice and zest. Freshly squeezed orange juice and zest will give your sauce a bright, citrusy flavor that can’t be beaten.
- Fry the Chicken in Batches: When frying the chicken, make sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the chicken in batches to ensure that it cooks evenly and gets crispy on all sides. Overcrowding the pan can cause the chicken to steam instead of fry, resulting in a soggy texture.
- Check Oil Temperature: Make sure the oil is hot enough before adding the chicken. You want it to be around 350-375°F (175-190°C). If the oil is too cool, the chicken will absorb too much oil and become greasy. If it’s too hot, the chicken will burn on the outside before cooking through.
- Drain Excess Oil: After frying the chicken, place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain off any excess oil. This will help keep the chicken crispy and prevent it from becoming greasy.
- Thicken Sauce Properly: When thickening the sauce with the cornstarch slurry, make sure to cook it for a few minutes until it thickens and becomes glossy. This will ensure that the sauce coats the chicken evenly and has the right consistency.
- Adjust Seasoning to Taste: Taste the sauce before adding it to the chicken and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more honey for sweetness, more soy sauce for saltiness, or more orange zest for extra citrus flavor.
- Garnish Before Serving: Garnish the finished dish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions just before serving. Not only does this add a pop of color, but it also adds texture and flavor to the dish.
By following these cooking tips, you’ll be able to make delicious Orange Chicken that’s crispy, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. Enjoy your homemade takeout favorite with family and friends!
FAQ’s about Orange Chicken
Can I bake the chicken instead of frying it?
While frying the chicken results in a crispier texture, you can bake the chicken for a healthier alternative. To do so, coat the chicken pieces in flour and arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through and golden brown.
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftover Orange Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven or on the stovetop until warmed through, being careful not to overcook the chicken.
Can I freeze Orange Chicken?
While you can freeze Orange Chicken, the texture of the fried chicken may change slightly upon thawing and reheating. To freeze, place the cooled chicken in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How do I prevent the chicken from becoming soggy?
To ensure crispy chicken, make sure the oil is hot enough before frying, and fry the chicken in batches to prevent overcrowding the pan. Drain the fried chicken on paper towels to remove excess oil.
Can I make Orange Chicken gluten-free?
Yes, you can make Orange Chicken gluten-free by using gluten-free flour to coat the chicken and ensuring that the soy sauce you use is gluten-free. Additionally, you can substitute tamari or coconut aminos for soy sauce.
Orange Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb 450g boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup 60g cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil for frying
For the Sauce:
- ½ cup 120ml orange juice (freshly squeezed is best)
- ¼ cup 60ml soy sauce
- ¼ cup 60ml rice vinegar
- ¼ cup 50g brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
- Zest of 1 orange
- Sliced green onions for garnish
- Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken:In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Fry the Chicken:Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the coated chicken pieces in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry until golden brown and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per batch. Transfer the cooked chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Make the Sauce:In a separate bowl, whisk together the orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and orange zest. Pour the mixture into the skillet or wok used to cook the chicken. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Thicken the Sauce:In a small bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the simmering sauce and cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency, about 2-3 minutes.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce:Once the sauce has thickened, return the cooked chicken to the skillet or wok. Toss the chicken pieces in the sauce until evenly coated. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, allowing the chicken to heat through and absorb the flavors of the sauce.
- Serve:Garnish the orange chicken with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, if desired. Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.
- Enjoy:Serve your homemade orange chicken immediately, and enjoy the delicious combination of tangy orange flavor, savory soy sauce, and aromatic garlic and ginger!