Description
A quick and easy takeout-style orange chicken recipe with crispy chicken bites coated in a sweet and tangy orange sauce. Perfect for a simple weeknight dinner, this easy orange chicken recipe comes together in just 35 minutes! Serve it with rice or noodles for a complete meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
½ cup cornstarch
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 large eggs, beaten
Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Orange Sauce:
½ cup orange juice (fresh or bottled)
¼ cup soy sauce
¼ cup rice vinegar
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon water (for cornstarch slurry)
2 teaspoons orange zest
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon minced ginger
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Sesame seeds and green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper. Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour mixture, then dip them into the beaten eggs.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken in batches, cooking 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- In a bowl, whisk together orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and orange zest.
- In a small saucepan, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Sauté garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using) for 1 minute.
- Add the orange juice mixture to the saucepan and bring to a simmer. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
- Toss the fried chicken pieces in the orange sauce until coated.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve with steamed rice or vegetables.
Notes
For extra crispiness, fry the chicken in batches and avoid overcrowding the skillet.
Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar to the sauce.
Spice level can be modified with additional red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-American, Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
- Calories: 400 kcal per serving