Crispy Homemade Orange Chicken Recipe: Sweet-Tangy Perfection

My recent culinary adventure with homemade orange chicken surprised me with its incredible simplicity and mouthwatering results.

Chinese takeout never tasted this fresh and vibrant.

The zesty sauce brings restaurant-quality flavors right into your kitchen.

Sweet, tangy notes dance through each crispy bite of perfectly golden chicken pieces.

You can easily master this dish with a few basic ingredients and some clever cooking techniques.

Marinades work magic in developing rich, complex flavors that will make people wonder about your secret cooking skills.

Prepare to impress everyone at the dinner table with this crowd-pleasing recipe that comes together faster than ordering delivery.

What’s to Love About Homemade Orange Chicken

• Perfect weeknight dinner solution that takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish.
• Adjust spice levels by adding more or fewer red chili flakes to match your family's taste preferences.
• Achieve crispy, flavorful chicken that rivals your favorite takeout without expensive delivery charges.
• Delivers a delicious meal that appeals to both kids and adults, making it an ideal family dinner option.

Must-Have Ingredients for Orange Chicken

• Chicken: Lean protein that creates the base of the dish, boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs work best for even cooking and tender texture.

• Cornstarch, Flour: Crispy coating that helps create a golden and crunchy exterior for the chicken, all-purpose flour provides structure while cornstarch ensures extra crispiness.
• Eggs: Binding agent that helps breading stick to chicken and creates a smooth surface for coating.

• Orange Juice: Provides the core citrus flavor and natural sweetness to the sauce, fresh juice recommended for best taste.
• Soy Sauce: Adds depth and umami flavor, low-sodium options work well for controlling salt content.
• Sugar: Balances the tangy citrus and adds necessary sweetness to the sauce.
• Rice Vinegar: Brings balanced acidity and brightness to the sauce, helps cut through richness.
• Orange Zest: Intensifies orange flavor with concentrated citrus oils, use fresh zest for maximum impact.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic depth and savory undertone to the sauce.
• Ginger: Adds warm, spicy notes and complexity to the overall flavor profile.
• Red Chili Flakes: Optional ingredient for adding mild heat and extra complexity.
• Cornstarch Slurry: Thickening agent that helps sauce reach perfect consistency and coat chicken evenly.

• Sesame Seeds: Optional topping that adds nutty flavor and visual appeal.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish that provides color and mild onion flavor.
• Steamed Rice: Classic accompaniment that absorbs sauce and completes the.

Cooking Orange Chicken from Scratch

Step 1: Prepare Breading Mixture

• Mix cornstarch
• Add flour

Combine dry ingredients in a shallow bowl, creating a perfect coating base for the chicken.

Step 2: Egg Wash Creation

• Crack eggs
• Whisk thoroughly

Beat eggs until smooth and well-blended in a separate bowl.

Step 3: Coating Chicken Pieces

• Dunk chicken into egg wash
• Roll in cornstarch-flour mixture
• Gently shake off excess breading

Ensure each chicken piece is completely and evenly covered.

Step 4: Heat Cooking Oil

• Select deep skillet or wok
• Pour oil to 1-2 inch depth
• Bring oil temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit

Use a thermometer to confirm precise oil temperature.

Step 5: Fry Chicken Chunks

• Place breaded chicken carefully into hot oil
• Cook in small batches
• Fry until golden brown
• Remove when crispy

Allow each piece to develop a beautiful crunchy exterior.

Step 6: Craft Tangy Orange Sauce

• Orange juice
• Soy sauce
• Sugar
• Rice vinegar
• Orange zest
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger
• Red chili flakes

Whisk all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat.

Step 7: Sauce Thickening

• Create cornstarch slurry
• Stir into simmering sauce
• Cook until sauce reaches desired consistency

Continuously stir to prevent burning.

Step 8: Combine Chicken and Sauce

• Transfer fried chicken to large skillet
• Pour orange sauce over chicken
• Toss until evenly coated

Ensure each chicken piece gets maximum sauce coverage.

Step 9: Delicious Plating

• Serve over steamed white rice
• Sprinkle sesame seeds
• Garnish with chopped green onions

Enjoy your homemade orange chicken masterpiece!

Tips for Sweet and Tangy Orange Chicken

• Maximize Crispiness: Pat chicken pieces completely dry before breading to ensure a super crisp exterior that holds the sauce perfectly.
• Prevent Soggy Coating: Avoid overcrowding the pan while frying, which drops oil temperature and creates greasy, limp chicken instead of crunchy pieces.
• Adjust Spice Levels: Customize heat by increasing or decreasing red chili flakes, making the dish friendly for mild or spicy taste preferences.
• Swap Protein Options: Easily substitute chicken with tofu, shrimp, or cauliflower for vegetarian or alternative protein versions without changing the delicious orange sauce.
• Make-Ahead Sauce Trick: Prepare orange sauce in advance and store in refrigerator for up to 3 days, allowing flavors to meld and saving time during meal preparation.

How to Store Orange Chicken and Keep It Crisp

• Store leftover orange chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Separate the chicken from the sauce to maintain its crispy texture.
• Warm the chicken on a baking sheet at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, which helps restore its original crispiness. Drizzle a little extra sauce before reheating to prevent dryness.
• For quick reheating, use the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Add a splash of water or sauce to keep the chicken moist.
• Freeze plain fried chicken without sauce for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat using the oven method for best results.

Great Sides for Orange Chicken Dinners

• Select a zesty Riesling or Pinot Grigio to complement the tangy orange sauce and cut through the richness of the fried chicken, balancing the dish's sweet and savory flavors.
• Create a light side dish with thinly sliced cucumbers, rice vinegar, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds to provide a cool, crisp contrast to the warm, saucy chicken.
• Prepare fragrant jasmine rice as the perfect base, soaking up the vibrant orange sauce and offering a subtle, aromatic backdrop to the crispy chicken.
• Prepare a quick stir-fry of bell peppers, snap peas, and carrots to add color, texture, and nutritional balance to the hearty orange chicken dish.

Orange Chicken Twists to Try

• Gluten-Free Orange Chicken: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend or almond flour. Use tamari instead of soy sauce to ensure completely gluten-free preparation.
• Low-Carb Orange Chicken: Substitute cornstarch with ground pork rinds or almond flour for coating. Replace sugar with erythritol or monk fruit sweetener to reduce carbohydrate content.
• Baked Orange Chicken: Skip deep-frying and instead arrange breaded chicken pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spray with olive oil and bake at 425F for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through for even crispiness.
• Vegan Orange Chicken Alternative: Use firm tofu or seitan instead of chicken. Replace eggs with cornstarch slurry for coating. Prepare sauce with vegetable broth and add extra orange zest for enhanced flavor profile.

Homemade Orange Chicken Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Delightful Chinese-American classic Orange Chicken brings zesty citrus magic to home kitchens with crispy golden chicken pieces glazed in tangy sauce. Succulent bites promise restaurant-quality flavor without leaving home, making weeknight dinners deliciously exciting for hungry diners.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)

Coating Ingredients:

• 0.5 cup cornstarch
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs (beaten)

Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 0.5 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed or store-bought)
• 0.25 cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
• 0.25 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• 0.5 teaspoon fresh ginger (grated)
• 0.25 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional, for heat)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)

Cooking Ingredient:

• Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare a dual-compartment breading setup with cornstarch-flour blend in one container and whisked eggs in another.
2. Immerse each chicken morsel into beaten eggs, then thoroughly envelop with the powdery cornstarch mixture, ensuring excess coating is gently shaken off.
3. Preheat cooking oil in a deep skillet to approximately 350F, creating a sizzling environment for frying.
4. Carefully lower chicken pieces into hot oil, working in manageable batches to maintain optimal temperature and prevent overcrowding.
5. Fry chicken segments for 4-5 minutes, rotating occasionally to achieve a uniform golden-brown exterior with a crisp texture.
6. Transfer freshly fried chicken to a wire rack or absorbent paper towels to drain excess oil and preserve crunchiness.
7. In a separate saucepan, combine orange juice, soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, fragrant orange zest, minced garlic, grated ginger, and optional red chili flakes.
8. Bring sauce ingredients to a gentle simmer, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
9. Create a cornstarch slurry and incorporate it into the simmering sauce, continuously stirring to prevent lumping and achieve a smooth, glossy consistency.
10. Transfer crisp chicken pieces into a large skillet, cascading the vibrant orange sauce over them and gently tossing to ensure comprehensive coating.
11. Plate the sauced chicken atop steamed rice or alongside colorful stir-fried vegetables, garnishing with sesame seeds or freshly chopped green onions for an elegant presentation.

Notes

• Opt for high-quality chicken thighs or breasts for maximum tenderness and flavor absorption.
• Ensure oil temperature stays consistent at 350F to prevent soggy or burnt chicken pieces.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with rice flour or almond flour for crispier coating.
• Balance sauce sweetness by adjusting sugar levels or using fresh orange juice for brighter citrus notes.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg