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Crispy Orange Chicken

A plate of glistening orange chicken served with a side of white rice. Ready to eat orange chicken.
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Enjoy takeout-style crispy orange chicken with a glossy, balanced sauce, made easily at home.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup cornstarch, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (slurry)
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • Cooked rice, for serving
  • Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
  • Chopped green onions, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, toss chicken pieces with 1/2 cup cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
  2. In a separate bowl, dip chicken pieces in beaten eggs, then dredge in the remaining 1/2 cup cornstarch.
  3. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken in batches and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per batch. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, combine orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
  5. Whisk in the cornstarch slurry and cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, about 2-3 minutes.
  6. Stir in the orange zest.
  7. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sauce.
  8. Serve immediately over cooked rice, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions if desired.

Notes

  • For extra crispy chicken, you can shallow fry it in 1-2 inches of oil instead of pan-frying.
  • Adjust the red pepper flakes to control the spice level.
  • If you don’t have fresh ginger, you can use 1 teaspoon of ground ginger.
  • This recipe is a great option for a quick weeknight meal.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://carlacooking.com/orange-chicken-30-min-dinner/