Description

This easy Orange Chicken recipe delivers tender chicken pieces coated in a crispy shell, glazed with a vibrant, tangy, and sweet orange sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it is perfect for busy weeknights and appeals to both kids and adults with its balanced flavors and simple ingredients. Serve freshly garnished with green onions for a special yet fuss-free meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Coating

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 cup cornstarch
Vegetable oil, for frying

Orange Sauce

1 cup fresh orange juice
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1–2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (optional, for thickening)

Garnish

2 green onions, sliced

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, then toss them in cornstarch until evenly coated to achieve a crispy texture when fried.
Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Fry the coated chicken pieces in batches until golden brown and crispy on all sides. Remove and drain on paper towels to keep crispness.
Make the Orange Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together fresh orange juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and rice vinegar to create a balanced tangy, sweet, and savory sauce.
Cook the Sauce: Pour the orange sauce into a clean skillet and bring it to a gentle simmer. If you prefer a thicker sauce, gradually stir in the cornstarch slurry until it reaches the desired consistency.
Combine Chicken and Sauce: Add the fried chicken pieces to the simmering sauce and toss until every piece is evenly coated and glazed. Garnish with sliced green onions just before serving.

Notes

Pat the chicken dry before coating to help the cornstarch stick better for extra crispiness.
Use fresh orange juice for maximum brightness and flavor in the sauce.
Control the sauce thickness by adding cornstarch slurry gradually to avoid an overly thick texture.
Fry chicken in batches to maintain oil temperature and ensure crispier results.
Serve immediately to enjoy the chicken crispiness.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Frying
Cuisine: Asian-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 380 kcal
Sugar: 12 g
Sodium: 650 mg
Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 30 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 75 mg

Keywords: orange chicken, quick dinner, crispy chicken, tangy sauce, family meal, easy recipe, weeknight dinner, gluten free option