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The Ultimate 30-Minute Crispy Homemade Orange Chicken Recipe

A close-up mound of crispy, glazed chicken pieces coated in a sticky sauce for the orange chicken recipe.
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Make restaurant-quality orange chicken at home faster than delivery. This recipe delivers crispy chicken pieces coated in a perfectly sweet and tangy orange glaze.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for coating)
  • 1 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons cold water (slurry)
  • Zest of 1 large orange
  • Cooked white rice and steamed vegetables, for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken coating: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, salt, and pepper. In a separate small bowl, whisk the egg and water. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined into a thick batter. Toss the chicken pieces in the batter until fully coated.
  2. Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken pieces in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid crowding. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Remove the chicken and place it on a paper towel-lined plate.
  3. Prepare the orange sauce: In a small saucepan, combine the orange juice, sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
  4. Whisk the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in the orange zest.
  5. Return the crispy chicken pieces to the skillet. Pour the orange sauce over the chicken and toss quickly to coat every piece evenly. Cook for about 1 minute until the sauce is sticky and clings to the chicken.
  6. Serve your homemade orange chicken immediately over hot white rice with a side of steamed vegetables.

Notes

  • For extra crispy chicken without deep frying, you can bake the coated chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes, flipping halfway, before tossing in the sauce.
  • You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts for a juicier result.
  • Use fresh orange juice for the best flavor in your sweet tangy orange sauce.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://afripaket.com/orange-chicken-recipe-crispy-takeout-style/