Chinese Orange Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
cut into bite-size pieces
- 3 Eggs
whisked
- 1/3 cup Cornstarch
- 1/3 cup Flour
- Oil
for frying
- 1 cup Orange Juice
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar
or White Vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
use tamari for a gluten-free dish
- 1/4 teaspoon Ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
or 2 garlic cloves, finely diced
- 1/2 teaspoon Red Chili Flakes
- Orange Zest
from 1 orange
- 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
- Green Onions
- Orange Zest
Directions
- 1
To make orange sauce:
- 2
In a medium pot, add orange juice, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and red chili flakes. Heat for 3 minutes.
- 3
In a small bowl, whisk 1 Tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 Tablespoons of water to form a paste. Add to orange sauce and whisk together. Continue to cook for 5 minutes, until the mixture begins to thicken. Once the sauce is thickened, remove from heat and add orange zest.
- 4
To make chicken:
- 5
Place flour and cornstarch in a shallow dish or pie plate. Add a pinch of salt. Stir.
- 6
Whisk eggs in shallow dish.
- 7
Dip chicken pieces in egg mixture and then flour mixture. Place on plate.
- 8
Heat 2 -3 inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Using a thermometer, watch for it to reach 350 degrees.
- 9
Working in batches, cook several chicken pieces at a time. Cook for 2 - 3 minutes, turning often until golden brown. Place chicken on a paper-towel-lined plate. Repeat.
- 10
Toss chicken with orange sauce. You may reserve some of the sauce to place on rice. Serve it with a sprinkling of green onion and orange zest, if so desired.
Chinese Orange Chicken
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About this Recipe
Craving that irresistible sweet and savory glaze of your favorite takeout but want to enjoy it fresh at home? This Chinese Orange Chicken recipe delivers on that promise, offering a vibrant, flavorful dish that truly outshines restaurant versions.
Why This Homemade Orange Chicken Works
What sets this homemade Orange Chicken apart is its incredible balance of flavors, crafted with fresh ingredients you can taste. The chicken is coated with a combination of cornstarch and flour, ensuring a delightful texture that perfectly complements the rich, tangy, and slightly spicy orange sauce. You'll find yourself reaching for another piece before you know it, savoring every bite.
What to Expect
Prepare your senses for a truly satisfying meal. Each piece of chicken is enveloped in a bright, zesty orange sauce that's sweet with just the right amount of tang and a subtle warmth from ginger and red chili flakes. The sauce clings beautifully to the chicken, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes. This dish is designed to be a crowd-pleaser, delivering a memorable dining experience right from your kitchen. Plus, for those avoiding gluten, it’s easy to make this dish friendly by simply opting for tamari in the sauce.
Customization & Variations
This recipe is wonderfully adaptable to your preferences. If you don't have rice vinegar on hand, white vinegar can be used as a suitable substitute without compromising flavor. For convenience, garlic powder works well, but if you prefer the robust taste of fresh garlic, finely dicing two cloves is an excellent option. For a gluten-free version, remember to use tamari instead of soy sauce. Feel free to adjust the red chili flakes to control the heat level—add more for a spicier kick or less for a milder flavor.
Serving & Context
This Chinese Orange Chicken is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or for entertaining guests. Serve it simply alongside steamed rice to soak up all that delicious sauce, then garnish generously with fresh green onions and extra orange zest for an aromatic finish.