Orange Chicken – Crispy, Sweet, and Sticky Takeout Favorite Made at Home
This Orange Chicken recipe brings all the bold, tangy-sweet flavor and crispy bite of your favorite Chinese takeout—right to your kitchen. Made with crispy fried chicken bites tossed in a glossy, citrusy glaze, it’s an absolute crowd-pleaser!
🍽 Ingredients (Servings: 4)
For the Chicken:
- 1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ¾ cup cornstarch
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Orange Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ¾ cup orange juice (preferably fresh)
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
- Zest of 1 orange
👨🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Batter the Chicken:
🥣 In one bowl, beat the eggs. In another, combine flour and cornstarch. Dip each chicken piece in the egg, then coat with the flour mix.
2️⃣ Fry Until Crispy:
🍳 Heat oil in a deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Fry chicken in batches until golden and crispy, about 4–5 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels.
3️⃣ Make the Orange Sauce:
🍊 In a separate skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of oil. Add garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 30 seconds. Stir in orange juice, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, and orange zest. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
4️⃣ Thicken the Sauce:
🌟 Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until sauce thickens and gets glossy, about 1–2 minutes.
5️⃣ Toss and Serve:
🍽 Add fried chicken pieces to the sauce and toss until evenly coated. Serve hot with white rice, fried rice, or steamed veggies.
📦 Amazon Must-Haves to help you create the best Orange Chicken
- 🍗 Boneless Chicken Thighs – Juicier and more flavorful than breast.
- 🍊 Citrus Juicer & Zester Set – Get every drop and zest without the mess.
- 🍜 Wok with Lid – For frying and perfect stir-frying.
- 🌶 Red Pepper Flakes– Add just the right kick.
- 🥢 Chopsticks & Rice Bowl Set – Makes your homemade meal feel like takeout night.
- 🥄 Cornstarch for Crispy Coating – A key to light, crunchy texture.
💡 Helpful Tip
For extra crispy chicken, double-fry the pieces: fry once at 325°F, rest for a few minutes, then fry again at 375°F for that signature crunch.