The ultimate sweet and tangy Orange Chicken Recipe.

Orange chicken is the flavor-packed dish of perfectly fried chicken pieces coated with glossy orange sauce is an ideal weeknight meal to serve at your next friend’s party

This Orange Chicken is cherished for its crispy fried chicken smothered in a delicious, sticky, and glossy sweet and savory orange sauce.

The orange flavor of the sauce comes from a combination of orange juice and orange zest. Brown sugar lends the sauce a hint of sweetness and gives it a slightly caramelized, sticky texture. The sauce is thickened with cornstarch, and the chicken is fried until golden brown.

For authentic restaurant-style orange chicken, you must use chicken breasts in the recipe. A whole chicken breast tends to be the juiciest part of the meat resulting in an ultra-crispy and tender orange chicken recipe.

What is Orange Chicken?

Orange chicken is a Chinese-American dish typically consisting of bite-sized pieces of chicken. The chicken is dredged in flavorful seasoning, fried to golden-brown perfection, and then coated in orange sauce, made with orange juice, vinegar, brown sugar, and various seasonings. One bite and you’ll be hooked on this crispy and juicy chicken, smothered in a delicious, sticky and glossy orange sauce that bursts with citrusy orange flavor.

Orange chicken is often served as a main course and is a popular choice for takeout or delivery. The dish is often served over rice or noodles and is a popular menu item at many Chinese-American restaurants. Some orange chicken recipe variations may also include vegetables such as bell peppers or onions.

Is orange chicken really Chinese?

Orange chicken is not a traditional Chinese dish and is a Chinese-American creation that Chinese restaurants in America have promoted. It is a hybrid dish that combines Chinese and American cuisine elements, and it is not commonly found in China. The dish originated in the United States and has become a popular menu item at many Chinese-American restaurants and takeout establishments.

Ingredients you’ll need to make orange chicken.

Orange chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish with diced chicken breasts coated in a sweet and tangy orange sauce. To make orange chicken, you will need the following ingredients:

Chicken Breasts – You need to dice the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Bite-sized chunks of chicken breasts are considered to be best to make the juicy and tender orange chicken recipe.

Cornstarch – In this orange chicken recipe, cornstarch has been used in the chicken marinade and the orange sauce mixture. The addition of cornstarch to chicken marinade gives the fried chicken a crispy texture, whereas adding cornstarch to orange sauce thickens it for an ultra-rich texture.

Orange Juice – Freshly squeezed orange juice imparts an authentic citrus flavor synonymous with this homemade orange chicken recipe.

Orange Zest – Adding orange zest to the orange sauce can add an extra layer of flavor and aroma. Orange zest is the outer rind of the orange, and it is packed with essential oils that contain a concentrated amount of the orange’s natural flavor. When grated and added to dishes, it can provide a brighter and more intense orange flavor than using just orange juice alone.

Soy Sauce – To add a savory flavor to the orange sauce.

Brown Sugar – Brown sugar adds sweetness and caramelization to the orange sauce while making it sticky, glossy, and glazy.

Rice Vinegar – Add tanginess to the orange sauce.

Garlic – Minced garlic will add a nutty and earthy flavor to the orange sauce.

Red Chili Flakes – For a spicy kick and a little heat in a chicken marinade.

Salt – This will help to bring out the flavors of the chicken.

How to make Marinade for Orange Chicken

Combine dry ingredients with water to make marinade. The dry ingredients include cornstarch, flour, and seasonings (onion and garlic powder, red chili flakes and salt).

How to make Orange Chicken

Prepare the Chicken

To make orange chicken, cut the chicken breasts into bite sized pieces, transfer them to bowl of wet batter.

Make Orange Sauce

For orange sauce combine orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and salt in a bowl and mix well. Set aside.

Mix cornstarch and water in a separate bowl. Set aside.

Heat oil in a sauce pan and then add grated garlic and ginger and let it simmer for a few seconds. Then stir in the sauce mixture and cook over medium to high heat.

Add cornstarch and water mix to the pan and let the sauce simmer until the sauce has thickened.

Fry the chicken

Fry the chicken coated with batter for 3-4 minutes or until crispy.

Mix

Toss the cooked chicken pieces in the orange sauce.

Coat the chicken bites well with the sauce.

Serve the orange garnished with green onions with rice. Enjoy!

Serving Suggestions

Orange chicken is a flavorful and satisfying dish that pairs well with various side dishes. Orange chicken goes well with the following sides:

Rice – The Orange chicken is often served with rice, and for a reason. When you serve the orange chicken with rice, the rice absorbs the flavors of the orange sauce, making each bite bursting with flavors. Depending on your preference, you can use various rice types, such as white rice, brown rice, or jasmine rice.

Vegetables – Steamed or stir-fried vegetables, such as broccoli, or bell peppers, can be an energizing and nutritious side dish to pair with orange chicken. Serving orange chicken with vegetables also serves as a healthy balanced meal.

Salad – A simple green salad with a light dressing can be a refreshing contrast to the rich and flavorful orange chicken.

Potatoes – Potatoes have a neutral flavor that can be a good foil for the bold and flavorful orange sauce. Roasted or mashed potatoes can provide a simple and satisfying contrast to the rich and tangy flavors of the orange chicken. Additionally, potatoes are a filling and satisfying ingredient that can help to round out the meal.

Storage Instructions

Store – Place the orange chicken in a sealed container and store it in your refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Reheat – To reheat the orange chicken, place it in a microwave-safe dish and microwave it for 1-2 minutes or until it is hot all the way through. Alternatively, you can reheat the orange chicken in a pan over medium-low heat until it is hot. You may add a little water if you reheat it in a pan.

Freeze – If you want to store the orange chicken for longer, you can freeze it. Place the orange chicken in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag and freeze it for up to 3 months. To defrost the orange chicken, place it in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. After that, reheat it in the microwave or on the stove until it is hot.

Orange Chicken Recipe FAQ’s

What is orange zest?

Orange zest is the outer rind of the orange, and it is packed with essential oils that contain a concentrated amount of the orange’s natural flavors and aromas. In addition to adding flavor, orange zest can add color to the orange sauce. The outer rind of the orange is a vibrant orange color, which can add a pop of color to the sauce and make it more visually appealing.

To use orange zest in the orange sauce for orange chicken, you can grate the orange’s outer rind using a fine grater. Avoid grating the white pith, as it can be bitter.

Can I use frozen chicken for orange chicken?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken for orange chicken. Make sure the chicken is thawed by placing it in the refrigerator or in ice cold water before dicing it and coating it with cornstarch and seasonings. Then, proceed with the recipe as directed.

Can I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts?

In the orange chicken recipe, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts. Chicken thighs tend to be more flavorful and moister than breasts, but they may also have more fat. You can follow the same recipe instructions, just adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure the chicken is cooked.

Can I make the orange sauce ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the orange sauce ahead of time. Prepare the sauce as directed in the recipe, place in an airtight container, and keep in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it. When ready to use, reheat the sauce in a saucepan over medium heat until it is hot and bubbly. The sauce will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.