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Easy Orange Chicken Recipe

easy orange chicken recipe
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This homemade orange chicken is crispy, sweet, tangy, and ready in just 30 minutes! Perfect for weeknight dinners, this easy orange chicken recipe brings the flavors of your favorite takeout straight to your kitchen.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast (or thighs for juicier meat)
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
  • 2 cups vegetable or peanut oil (for frying)

For the Orange Sauce:

  • ¾ cup fresh orange juice (from about 2–3 oranges)
  • ¼ cup soy sauce (light soy sauce recommended)
  • ¼ cup rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar (or substitute with honey)
  • 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (for thickening the sauce)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

  1. Cut the chicken breast or thighs into bite-sized cubes.
  2. In a large bowl, mix cornstarch, flour, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
  3. In a separate bowl, beat 2 eggs.
  4. Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, then coat thoroughly in the cornstarch mixture.

Step 2: Fry the Chicken

  1. Heat vegetable or peanut oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
  2. Fry the chicken pieces in small batches for 3-4 minutes per batch, or until golden brown and crispy.
  3. Remove the chicken and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

Step 3: Make the Orange Sauce

  1. In a saucepan, combine orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, orange zest, garlic, and ginger.
  2. Simmer the sauce over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water to form a slurry.
  4. Stir the slurry into the sauce and cook for 1-2 more minutes until thickened.

Step 4: Toss & Serve

  1. Add the crispy chicken into the pan with the orange sauce. Toss well until every piece is coated.
  2. Garnish with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and extra orange zest.
  3. Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.

Nutrition

Keywords: Easy orange chicken recipe, Homemade orange chicken, Crispy orange chicken, Best orange chicken sauce, Chinese orange chicken

Find it online: https://tasteandrecipes.com/easy-orange-chicken-recipe/