Description
A delicious homemade orange chicken with crispy golden pieces coated in a glossy, sweet, and tangy orange sauce, perfect for family dinners or weeknight meals
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite sized chunks
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- ¾ cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 ½ cups vegetable oil, for frying
- 2 green onions, sliced, for garnish
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium high heat until it reaches about 350°F.
- Combine Ingredients: In one bowl mix cornstarch and flour. In another bowl beat the eggs. In a separate bowl whisk together orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Ensure the oil is hot but not smoking. Adjust heat as needed.
- Assemble the Dish: Dip chicken pieces into egg, then dredge in the flour mixture until fully coated.
- Cook to Perfection: Fry chicken in batches for 4 to 5 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and drain on a paper towel. Pour out excess oil, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the skillet. Add the sauce mixture and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until thickened. Return chicken to the pan and toss until evenly coated.
- Finishing Touches: Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds while still warm.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles while the sauce is glossy and sticky.
Notes
- Keep oil temperature steady to maintain crispy coating
- Fry chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding
- Taste sauce before thickening to adjust sweetness or acidity
- Fresh orange zest enhances flavor dramatically
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: orange chicken, crispy chicken, sweet and tangy chicken, homemade orange chicken