Description
This Irresistibly Delicious Homemade Chinese Orange Chicken recipe features crispy, golden-brown chicken pieces tossed in a tangy, sweet orange sauce infused with garlic and ginger. Perfectly balanced with soy sauce and honey, this dish delivers authentic Chinese flavors with a homemade touch. Ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or special meal, serve it over steamed rice or vegetables for a satisfying feast.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
- 1/2 cup cornstarch (for crispy coating)
- 1 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
Orange Sauce
- 1/2 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- 1/4 cup honey (or agave syrup)
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
Garnish
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Dice the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and optimal texture.
- Coat the Chicken: Sprinkle cornstarch evenly over the diced chicken and toss well until every piece is thoroughly coated, which helps achieve the signature crispy texture.
- Heat the Oil: In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers, indicating it is hot enough for frying.
- Fry the Chicken: Add the coated chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding, frying each side for 4-5 minutes until the chicken is golden brown and crispy.
- Make the Orange Sauce: While frying, whisk together orange juice, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger in a separate bowl to create a flavorful sauce.
- Drain the Chicken & Cook Sauce: Remove the fried chicken from the skillet and place on paper towels to drain excess oil. Pour the prepared orange sauce into the still-hot skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Toss Chicken in Sauce: Return the crispy chicken to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat each piece in the thickened orange sauce. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to ensure the glaze sets well.
- Garnish & Serve: Sprinkle sliced green onions over the glazed chicken and serve immediately, ideally over steamed rice or your choice of vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use fresh-squeezed orange juice for the best natural flavor.
- Adjust honey quantity for sweetness preference.
- Make sure oil is hot enough before frying to ensure crispiness and prevent sogginess.
- Fry chicken in small batches to avoid lowering the oil temperature.
- Serve immediately for the crispiest texture.
- Can substitute chicken breast with thigh meat for juicier results.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated.
