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Easy Orange Chicken Recipe
Ash Tyrrell

Easy Orange Chicken Recipe

I have to tell you, orange chicken holds a special place in my heart. The first time I tried making it at home was after a long day when nothing else sounded good. I wanted something comforting, yet flavorful, but without spending hours in the kitchen.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs boneless chicken breast or thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 egg for coating the chicken
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch or potato starch makes the chicken crispy
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • A pinch of salt and pepper
  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice or bottled, but fresh is better
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce low-sodium if preferred
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar or honey
  • 1 teaspoon chili flakes or chili paste skip if you want mild
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with water for thickening
  • Sliced green onions
  • Sesame seeds
  • Fresh orange zest

Method
 

  1. Dice your chicken into small, bite-sized cubes. Season them lightly with salt and pepper. Crack the egg into a bowl and whisk it. Dip each chicken piece into the egg, then coat generously with a mix of cornstarch and flour.
  2. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. A depth of about two inches is best for frying. Fry the coated chicken pieces in batches. Cook for 4-5 minutes until crispy and golden. Remove them from the pan and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
  3. While the chicken cools, grab a saucepan. Combine the orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic. Heat the mixture on medium, stirring often. Add the chili paste (if using) for a little kick. To thicken, mix the cornstarch with water and pour it into the saucepan. Cook until the sauce becomes thick and glossy.
  4. Add the fried chicken pieces to the orange sauce and toss until every piece is coated perfectly. Allow it to simmer for 3 minutes to soak up all that flavor.

Notes

  • Marinate for Flavor Boost: Marinate your chicken in a bit of soy sauce and garlic before frying.
  • Healthier Version: Skip frying and bake the chicken pieces at 400°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  • Extra Crispy Chicken? Double-coat the pieces in cornstarch-flour mix for an irresistible crunch.
  • Customizable Sauce: Add pineapple chunks or swap orange juice with mandarin juice for variations.