Quick & Easy Orange Chicken
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
3
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Calories
401 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Chinese
Quick & Easy Orange Chicken
Description
The recipe starts with skinless, boneless chicken thighs diced into chunks and evenly coated in cornstarch or potato starch. Cooking the chicken in hot oil creates a crispy exterior while keeping the interior tender. The orange sauce combines freshly squeezed orange juice, white or rice vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, ground ginger, and optional red chili flakes for warmth.
After frying, the chicken is drained of excess oil and returned to the pan where the orange sauce is heated to coat the pieces. This approach results in a shiny, flavorful glaze adhering well to the crispy chicken pieces.
The dish is typically garnished with chopped green onion, grated orange zest, and toasted sesame seeds to add color, brightness, and a subtle crunch. It can be served with rice or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
The notes include an air fryer method for cooking the chicken, recommending spraying the basket with oil and air frying the coated chicken at 400°F for 12-14 minutes to achieve a crispy texture with less oil. Times may vary depending on the model used.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken thigh skinless, boneless
- ¼ cup cornstarch or sub with potato starch
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil or any neutral tasting oil (if you're Air Frying, sub with 2 tablespoon of oil)
Orange Chicken Sauce:
- 1 cup orange juice pulp strained (about 4-5 medium sized oranges, freshly squeezed
- 2 tablespoon white vinegar or rice vinegar
- ¼ cup + 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce regular
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger or sub with freshly grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch or sub with potato starch
- ½ tsp red chili flakes optional if you prefer it spicy
Optional Garnish
- ½ green onion finely chopped
- 1 tbsp orange zest grated
- 1 tsp sesame seeds toasted
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine sauce ingredients. Mix well and set aside.
- Dice chicken thighs into bite size pieces, about 1.5-inch pieces (about 6-8 pcs per thigh, depending on size). Do not pat chicken thighs dry, some moisture is needed so the starch can adhere to the chicken.
- Transfer pieces of chicken into a large bowl, followed by cornstarch. Mix to coat each piece evenly with tongs.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large pan on medium-high heat. Carefully lower coated chicken into the oil and quickly spread apart. Allow the chicken pieces to sear and form a golden crust, about 5-6 minutes on each side and avoid stir-frying them. Flip chicken over and cook on the other side until golden brown. (To air fry the chicken, see the Notes section below).
- Remove and transfer fried chicken onto a wire rack resting on a baking sheet or a plate lined with paper towels to drain off excess oil. Pour out any excess oil from pan.
- In the same pan set over medium high heat, pour sauce in. Stirring consistently until the sauce bubbles and thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Toss in fried chicken until pieces are coated in sauce. Garnish with orange zest, sesame seeds and green onions. Serve & enjoy!
Notes
- When air frying, lightly spray the basket and chicken with oil for crispiness, and cook at 400°F for 12-14 minutes, checking for desired texture.
- If using a different air fryer model, start checking the chicken around 12 minutes and adjust cooking time as needed to avoid overcooking.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 3Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 401 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 401kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 52g | 17% |
| Protein | 31g | 62% |
| Fat | 7g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 0.03g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 144mg | 48% |
| Sodium | 822mg | 34% |
| Potassium | 636mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 36g | 72% |
| Vitamin A | 349IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 45mg | 50% |
| Calcium | 68mg | 7% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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