Zesty Homemade Chinese Orange Chicken Recipe: Sweet & Tangy Bliss

Tantalizing aromas of crispy, golden-brown chicken glazed with zesty orange sauce will transport you straight to your favorite takeout spot.

This homemade chinese orange chicken recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavors right in your kitchen.

Succulent chicken pieces coated in a perfectly balanced sweet and tangy sauce create an irresistible meal.

Each bite promises a delightful explosion of citrusy goodness and savory depth.

The recipe brings together simple ingredients that blend into an extraordinary dish.

Tender chicken chunks, glistening with a vibrant orange glaze, will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

You’ll love how quickly this crowd-pleasing meal comes together with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Full Ingredient List For Chinese Orange Chicken

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides crispy base layer for chicken, choose unbleached for better texture.
• Cornstarch: Creates extra crunchiness, helps seal in chicken's moisture.
• Garlic Powder: Adds subtle background flavor, enhances overall seasoning.
• Salt: Balances and amplifies other seasonings, select fine-grain for even distribution.
• Black Pepper: Introduces mild heat and depth, freshly ground offers more robust taste.
• Eggs: Helps coating stick to chicken, acts as binding agent.
• Vegetable Oil: Perfect for high-heat frying, ensures golden and crispy exterior.

• Orange Juice: Delivers bright citrus flavor, fresh-squeezed recommended for intense taste.
• Soy Sauce: Provides rich umami base, low-sodium variant works well.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds tangy complexity, balances sweetness of sauce.
• Sugar: Creates glossy, sweet finish, brown sugar can add deeper notes.
• Orange Zest: Intensifies citrus profile, use microplane for fine grating.
• Garlic: Introduces aromatic depth, fresh cloves preferred over pre-minced.
• Ginger: Brings warming spiciness, fresh root offers more vibrant flavor.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional heat component, adjust according to spice preference.
• Cornstarch: Thickens sauce, ensures smooth glossy consistency.

• Green Onions: Adds fresh, sharp flavor and visual appeal.
• Sesame Seeds: Provides subtle nutty crunch, toasting enhances flavor.

Kitchen Tools For Chinese Orange Chicken

• Large skillet or wok: Perfect for deep-frying chicken and creating that crispy golden exterior.
• Shallow bowl: Essential for mixing flour coating and dredging chicken pieces.
• Saucepan: Used for preparing the vibrant orange sauce with precise heat control.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Paper towel-lined plate: Helps drain excess oil from fried chicken.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping green onions and zesting orange.
• Chef's knife: Sharp tool for precise ingredient preparation.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring sauce and tossing chicken.
• Thermometer (optional): Helps monitor oil temperature for perfect frying.

Easy Directions For Chinese Orange Chicken

• Chicken Coating

Prepare a delightful seasoned layer for the chicken using a blend of flour and spices. Dunk each chicken piece into beaten eggs, then lovingly cover with the flour mixture, ensuring a light and even coating.

• Golden Frying

Heat oil in a sturdy pan until it reaches the perfect sizzling temperature. Carefully lower chicken pieces into the hot oil, creating a beautiful golden-brown exterior. Fry in small batches to maintain crispy perfection.

• Zesty Sauce Creation

Craft a vibrant orange sauce by combining tangy citrus juices, aromatic spices, and a touch of sweetness. Simmer the ingredients gently, allowing the flavors to dance and meld together. Thicken the sauce with a cornstarch magic touch.

• Flavor Fusion

Reunite the crispy chicken with the luscious orange sauce. Gently toss the pieces, ensuring each morsel gets a luxurious coating of the bright, tangy glaze.

• Presentation

Arrange the glistening orange chicken on a beautiful serving plate. Sprinkle with fresh green onions and a scattering of sesame seeds for a final touch of elegance. Serve alongside fluffy rice or noodles for a complete meal that’ll make taste buds sing.

Tips To Add A Twist To Chinese Orange Chicken

• Perfect Crispy Techniques: Use fresh oil at exactly 350F for maximum crispiness without greasy texture.
• Low-Sodium Swap: Replace traditional soy sauce with reduced-sodium alternatives or coconut aminos to cut salt content while maintaining rich flavor.
• Healthier Baking Option: Instead of deep-frying, arrange coated chicken pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 425F for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through for even golden browning.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute all-purpose flour with rice flour or gluten-free blend, and ensure cornstarch and soy sauce are certified gluten-free for celiac-friendly preparation.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust red pepper flakes based on heat preference – omit completely for mild versions or add extra for a fiery kick that transforms the classic recipe into a zesty experience.

How To Serve Chinese Orange Chicken With Style

• Zesty Rice Companion: Serve the orange chicken over a bed of fluffy steamed jasmine rice for a classic Asian-inspired meal that soaks up the delicious citrus sauce perfectly.
• Crispy Sidekick Presentation: Add some crunchy stir-fried vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas around the chicken to create a colorful and nutritious plate that balances the rich flavors.
• Green Freshness Topper: Sprinkle extra chopped green onions and a light dusting of sesame seeds just before serving to add a fresh, aromatic finish that brings brightness and texture to the dish.
• Quick Meal Enhancer: Pair with a simple cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and a touch of sesame oil to provide a cool, refreshing contrast to the warm, tangy orange chicken.

Store Chinese Orange Chicken The Easy Way

Refrigerate leftover orange chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days, maintaining crispy texture when reheated carefully.

• Quick Reheat Technique: Warm chicken in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes to restore crispiness, avoiding microwave to prevent soggy coating.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Freeze uncoated fried chicken and sauce separately in sealed containers for maximum 2 months, thawing overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Meal Prep Strategy: Prepare chicken coating and sauce ingredients ahead of time, storing separately to streamline cooking process and reduce day-of preparation time.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 487 kcal

Servings: 3

Tangy Chinese Orange Chicken Recipe

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4.5 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Sizzling Chinese orange chicken brings together tangy citrus and crispy chicken in a classic takeout-inspired dish. Homemade sauce and perfectly fried chicken pieces promise a restaurant-quality meal that satisfies cravings for bold, zesty flavors you’ll love.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (450 g) chicken thighs or breasts, boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• ½ cup (65 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (65 g) cornstarch
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) orange juice, freshly squeezed if possible
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) soy sauce
• ¼ cup (60 ml) rice vinegar
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsps water (slurry)
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
• vegetable oil, for frying
• chopped green onions
• sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Coating Preparation: Whisk flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a shallow dish. Dip chicken pieces into egg wash, ensuring thorough coverage and gently shaking off excess mixture.
2. Frying Process: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet to 350F. Fry chicken in small batches until golden-brown and crispy, rotating to ensure even cooking. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil, maintaining a crunchy texture.
3. Sauce Creation: Combine orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, orange zest, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan. Simmer and incorporate cornstarch slurry, stirring until sauce thickens and develops a glossy consistency.
4. Final Assembly: Gently toss crispy chicken pieces in the vibrant orange sauce, ensuring each morsel is thoroughly coated and infused with rich, tangy flavors.
5. Presentation: Plate the glazed chicken, garnishing with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. Serve alongside steamed white rice, fried rice, or noodles for a complete and satisfying meal.

Notes

• Optimize Oil Temperature: Maintain consistent 350F oil heat for achieving perfectly crispy chicken without burning or undercooking. Use a reliable thermometer to monitor temperature throughout frying process.
• Prevent Soggy Coating: Pat chicken pieces completely dry before coating to ensure flour mixture adheres properly and creates a crisp, golden exterior. Extra moisture can cause breading to slide off during cooking.
• Sauce Consistency Control: Whisk cornstarch slurry thoroughly to avoid lumps and achieve smooth, glossy sauce texture. Add slurry gradually while stirring constantly to prevent over-thickening and maintain desired sauce consistency.
• Dietary Adaptation Options: Transform recipe gluten-free by substituting wheat flour with rice flour or gluten-free blend. For lower-carb version, replace traditional coating with almond flour or crushed pork rinds, creating lighter alternative without compromising crispy texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 487
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 61 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 144 mg