This iconic dish effortlessly combines crispy, succulent pieces of chicken with a mouth-watering, sweet, and tangy orange glaze. After trying this recipe, you’ll never go back to take-out!
Whenever I order take-out Chinese food, you’ll catch me ordering Orange Chicken every. Single. Time. I just can’t help myself! Every restaurant makes it differently, but this homemade version is my favorite! Slide this Orange Chicken onto the table with another take-out style dinner, my Chicken Lo Mein!
Whether you’re a foodie or just looking for something tasty, Orange Chicken is about to become your new go-to! Orange chicken is the kind of dish that makes your taste buds do a happy dance!
What Is Orange Chicken?
Orange chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish that typically consists of bite-sized pieces of chicken that are breaded, fried until crispy, and then coated in a flavorful orange-flavored sauce. The sauce is sweet, tangy, and often includes ingredients like orange juice, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sugar. The combination of crispy chicken and the zesty orange glaze creates a delicious balance of textures and flavors. Orange chicken is a beloved dish often served in Chinese-American restaurants and enjoyed for its savory and slightly sweet taste.
All About This Recipe
Taste: This recognizable American-Chinese dish is PACKED with flavors! Savory and citrusy sweetness coats the tender, juicy chicken. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
Looks: The vibrant colors make this dish a total winner! You’ll have everybody convinced that this Orange Chicken was made in a restaurant, not your kitchen!
Simple: I still can’t believe how easy this recipe is to make! I’ve spent years and countless dollars on take-out orange chicken just to come to the realization that it is SO SIMPLE to make! Less than 30 minutes… a handful of simple ingredients… it doesn’t get better than this!
Texture: With every bite, you experience the crispy crunch of the chicken coating, followed by the irresistible sticky sweet coating that is the orange glaze!
Orange Chicken Ingredients
Chicken- This recipe calls for chicken tenderloins, but feel free to use chicken thighs.
Oil- Used for frying. Stick to a neutral oil!
Eggs- What we coat the chicken in before frying.
Cornstarch- Gives the chicken a crispy coating when fried, and used to make a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce.
Orange Juice- I like to use fresh squeezed for the best flavor. Don’t be afraid to add some of that orange zest in there!
Sugar- Adds some sweetness to our orange glaze so it isn’t too tart.
Vinegar- Adds some zing to the orange chicken!
Soy Sauce- You can use low sodium if you’d like, or replace with amino liquids.
Ginger- Use fresh or pre-minced.
Garlic- Like the ginger, use fresh cloves or jarred. Either works!
Red Pepper Flakes- Kicks up the heat in this recipe!
How To Make Orange Chicken
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Mix eggs and cornstarch.
- Coat the chicken in the egg mixture.
- Fry until golden brown and fully cooked.
- Combine orange juice, vinegar, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sugar, and red pepper flake.
- Add the sauce to a skillet and whisk until thickened.
- Toss the chicken in the sauce.
- Serve and enjoy!
What To Serve With Orange Chicken
I love to pair this Orange Chicken with rice and broccoli, but you can also serve it with lo mein, fried rice, on top of a salad, or as a side to appetizers! Spring rolls, crab rangoons, boneless spare ribs, the possibilities are endless!
FAQ’s
How Do I Store Orange Chicken?
Store this orange chicken in the refrigerator for up to three days. I wouldn’t recommend freezing this recipe.
When you’re ready to reheat this orange chicken, you can either reheat it on the stove in a skillet on medium heat until fully heated through or microwave it until you reach your desired temperature.
Is Orange Chicken The Same As General Tso’s?
No. Orange Chicken is typically sweet, citrusy, and tangy, while General Tso’s is usually more on the savory side. General Tso’s tends to be spicier, while Orange Chicken is more mild.
Can I Make This Recipe Spicy?
Absolutely! Kick this recipe up a notch by adding an additional 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, or drizzle it with sriracha!
Best Ever Orange Chicken
INGREDIENTS
- 1.5 pounds chicken tenderloins
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 1/3 cups orange juice
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flake more for topping if you like
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Scallions for topping
INSTRUCTIONS
- Cut your chicken tenderloins into bite size pieces.
- In a large bowl combine the 3 eggs and ½ cup cornstarch.
- Add the chicken to the cornstarch mixture and stir to coat.
- Fill a large skillet with about an inch of oil and turn it on medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken in a single layer. Fry until brown on each side and cooked through.
- Remove the chicken and set on a paper towel lined plate. Repeat with the rest of the chicken, then discard the oil from the pan.
- In a mixing bowl combine the orange juice, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, ground ginger, garlic, and red pepper flake.
- Add the sauce to your skillet over medium heat and whisk until it comes up to a slight bubble and starts to thicken. Remove from heat, and toss your chicken in the sauce.
- Garnish with sliced oranges and scallions and serve!
NOTES
You can bump up the orange flavor with the zest of an orange if you like.
Store leftovers in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
