Description
Culinary magic happens when Homemade Orange Chicken arrives on your plate, bringing zesty California-style flavors to life. Crispy golden pieces glazed with tangy orange sauce promise a restaurant-quality meal you can easily create in your own kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 ½ pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 2 large eggs (beaten)
Coating and Frying:
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil)
Sauce Ingredients:
- ½ cup orange juice (freshly squeezed or store-bought)
- ¼ cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- ½ teaspoon fresh ginger (grated)
- ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
Instructions
- Embark on the chicken preparation by creating a dual-stage dredging setup with cornstarch-flour blend and whisked eggs, ensuring each poultry morsel gets thoroughly coated with a light, even layer.
- Heat oil in a deep cooking vessel until it reaches optimal temperature, carefully immersing chicken pieces to achieve a crisp, golden exterior while maintaining tender inner texture.
- Meanwhile, craft the vibrant orange sauce by blending citrus elements with aromatic seasonings in a simmering saucepan, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
- Incorporate cornstarch slurry into the sauce, whisking continuously to develop a luxurious, glossy consistency that will elegantly cling to the fried chicken.
- Transfer crispy chicken pieces into the bubbling sauce, gently rotating to ensure complete and uniform coverage, transforming each morsel into a glistening, flavor-packed delight.
- Plate the sauced chicken atop fluffy steamed rice, creating a visually appealing presentation that promises an explosion of tangy, sweet, and savory notes.
- Optionally, sprinkle freshly chopped green onions or toasted sesame seeds for an additional layer of texture and visual appeal, elevating the dish’s overall gastronomic experience.
Notes
- Adjust chicken thickness to ensure even cooking by gently pounding pieces to uniform thickness before breading.
- Use a thermometer to maintain precise oil temperature, preventing greasy or undercooked chicken during frying.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting regular flour with rice flour or almond flour for coating.
- Transform the dish into a healthier option by baking chicken instead of deep-frying, using a light cooking spray and preheated oven at 425F.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg