When I visit my local Chinese Restaurant for takeout, Orange chicken is my go to dish. Orange chicken is one of those classic Chinese dishes that everyone loves. It’s sweet, savory and crunchy pieces of chicken are simply irresistible. My Orange Chicken Recipe allows me to duplicate this classic restaurant favorite right at home. Crafting this dish at home ensures a fresher, more customizable version of the restaurant favorite. Being able to enjoy good Asian cuisine at home and save money is definitely a win win. So get ready as I show you how easy it is to make orange chicken that you and your family will love.

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How to Make Orange Chicken

Orange chicken is a beloved Chinese classic dish that is fairly easy to make at home. It can be made with chicken breast or thigh cut into bite sized pieces. The key to making the Best Orange chicken is to use the freshest ingredients. Make sure you have all ingredients prepared, as the method to making this dish moves quickly. Following the detailed instructions below and watch the video tutorial.

Watch the Video

What You Will Need

• Mixing Bowls
• Sharp Knife
• Juicer
• Grater

Ingredients for Orange Chicken

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs -Chicken thighs are ideal for achieving a tender and juicy texture when fried. They also hold up well to the bold flavors of the orange sauce.
• All-Purpose Flour – All-Purpose Flour helps create a crispy coating on the chicken when fried.
• Corn Starch – Cornstarch when combined with the flour gives a crispier chicken, It is also used to thicken the orange sauce.
• White Pepper – White pepper is milder than black pepper. It adds a subtle, heat to the chicken without overwhelming the other flavors.
• Sea Salt – Sea salt enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
• Canola Oil – Canola oil has a high smoke point, making it ideal for frying the chicken.
• Water – Water is used to adjust the consistency of the sauce, ensuring it’s not too thick or too thin.
• Orange Juice – Orange juice is the key ingredient that provides the citrus flavor in orange chicken. It gives the sauce a bright, tangy sweetness.
• Lemon Juice -Lemon juice adds an extra layer of acidity and freshness to balance the sweetness of the orange juice and brown sugar.
• Rice Vinegar – Rice vinegar adds a mild, slightly sweet acidity to the sauce, enhancing the overall flavor balance without overpowering the other ingredients.
• Soy Sauce – Soy sauce adds saltiness and a richness to the sauce.
• Brown Sugar – Brown sugar sweetens the sauce and helps to caramelize it.
• Garlic – Garlic adds a savory flavor that complements the sweetness of the orange and brown sugar.
• Ginger – Ginger adds warmth and a slightly spicy, aromatic quality that pairs well with the citrus and garlic flavors in the sauce.
• Red Pepper Flakes – Red pepper flakes provide a subtle heat that contrasts with the sweetness of the sauce.
• Sesame Oil – Sesame oil adds a aromatic richness to the sauce.
• Orange Zest – Orange zest intensifies the orange flavor in the orange sauce.

Instructions for Making Orange Chicken

1. Preparation Steps:

It’s important to prep all of the ingredients for this recipe as the steps will move quickly once your begin to cook. Preparing everything ahead of time will help to ensure the best outcome for your recipe.

Begin by zesting the orange and grating the ginger. These two ingredients will add an authentic flavor to your orange chicken. Once zested and grated, setting them aside for later use.

Proceed to slice and mince the garlic then juice the orange and lemon. If you prefer, using already prepared lemon and orange juice will work just as well.

2. Preparing the Chicken

To prepare the chicken, ensure your chicken thighs are thoroughly cleaned and dried. Remove any excess fat, as much as you can then cut the thighs into small, bite-sized pieces.

Place the chicken in a large bowl, seasoning it with the salt and white pepper.

Next add the egg and mix until the chicken has been evenly coated.

Incorporate the cornstarch and flour into the bowl, making sure all of the chicken pieces are well coated with the mixture.

In a large pan, heat the canola oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, fry the chicken in small batches for approximately 8 minutes until golden brown.

Remove the chicken from the oil and set it aside. Your chicken should be crispy and golden brown.

3. Making the Sauce for Orange Chicken

In a separate pan, combine the water, orange juice, lemon juice, soy sauce, and rice vinegar over medium heat. Add brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, ensuring the sugar dissolves completely.

Introduce orange zest and red pepper flakes into the simmering mixture. Add sesame oil and cornstarch, whisking until the cornstarch dissolves entirely.

Allow the sauce to reduce by about one-third, intensifying the flavors. Add the fried chicken into the pan, generously coating it with the flavorful sauce.

Simmer for an additional two minutes to ensure the chicken absorbs the sauce’s essence.

Pairing Ideas for Orange Chicken

Crispy Orange Chicken can be paired with many side dishes. You can serve your orange chicken with steamed rice or fried rice. Pairing orange chicken with either rice will allow the sweet bold flavor of the chicken to compliment the fluffy rice.

Orange chicken also pairs well with stir-fried vegetables. It taste great with such veggies as bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas, and carrots. Adding vegetables adds both nutritional value and make the dish more colorful. The crispness of the veggies contrasts beautifully with the tender chicken.

For a very healthy option, pair your orange chicken with a side fresh salad. Egg rolls or spring rolls would also pair well with Orange Chicken. And of course lo mein noodle added to that same plate would make for a tasty meal.

Being able to make this take out classic in the comforts of your own kitchen is both economical and a pure delight. Although at first glance it may seem a little complicated, but once you have all of your ingredients prepped and ready to go, it is much easier than you think. Experiment with these pairing suggestions to elevate your orange chicken experience, transforming it into a complete and satisfying meal that your family and friends will adore. Enjoy the wonderful flavors and the satisfaction of creating a restaurant-quality dish in the comfort of your kitchen!

More Easy Recipes to Try:

• Pepper Steak – an authentic recipe for a Chinese classic dish.
• Chicken Fried Rice – this recipe is quick and easy to make any night of the week.
• Crispy Fried Shrimp – crispy deep fried shrimp that is great as an appetizer or a main course.
• General Tso’s Chicken – this classic dish is sweet, savory and oh so delicious!
• Sweet and Sour Chicken – made with tender chicken thighs in a sweet and sour sauce.
• Crispy Oven Baked Thighs – easy dinner idea that can be made any day of the week.

Orange Chicken Recipe

Recipe by Soul Food Cooking

5.0 from 2 votes

Course: Main

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Ingredients

• 2 lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs

• 1 Cup All-Purpose Flour

• 1 Cup Corn Starch

• 1 tsp White Pepper

• 2 tsps Sea Salt

• Canola Oil

• For the Sauce:

• 1-1/2 Cups Water

• 4 Tbsps Orange Juice

• 2 2 Tbsps Lemon Juice

• 2/3 Cups Rice Vinegar

• 5 Tbsps Soy Sauce

• 1 Cup Brown Sugar

• 2 cloves Garlic

• 2 tsps Ginger

• 1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes

• 2 Tbsps Corn Starch

• 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil

• 1 Orange Zest

Directions

• Zest the orange and grate the ginger then set them aside until later.
• Now slice and mince the garlic then juice the orange and lemon.
• Make sure you have thoroughly cleaned your thighs and removed any excess fat.
• Cut the thighs into small bite sized pieces.
• Place the chicken in a large bowl then season with the salt and pepper.
• Add the egg then mix until the chicken is well coated.
• Add the cornstarch and flour and mix until all your pieces have been well coated.
• In a large pan add the canola oil then using medium high heat bring your pan to temperature.
• Fry the chicken in small batches for 8 minutes.
• After eight minutes remove them from the oil then set them aside until later.
• In a separate pan add the water, orange juice, lemon juice and soy sauce.
• Next add the brown sugar, ginger and garlic then mix until your brown sugar has dissolved.
• Add the orange zest and red pepper flakes then bring the liquid to a light simmer.
• Add the sesame oil and cornstarch then whisk until your cornstarch has dissolved.
• Allow the sauce to reduce by one-third then add the chicken to the pan.
• Generously coat the chicken with the sauce then cook for an additional two minutes.

Recipe Video

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