Orange Chicken Recipe

She had always been a fan of take-out Chinese food, especially the sweet and tangy taste of orange chicken. Eager to recreate this favorite dish at home, she discovered that making orange chicken wasn’t just possible but also rewarding. With a few simple ingredients like chicken, fresh orange juice, soy sauce, and some spices, she could whip up a dish that rivaled any restaurant’s version.

The secret to a delicious homemade orange chicken lies in its sauce, which is a perfect balance of sweet, spice, and tang. By experimenting with different recipes, she found that frying the chicken for a crispy texture and tossing it in a sticky, flavorful sauce brought the best results. It not only captured the essence of classic Chinese orange chicken but tasted even fresher and more vibrant.

Her journey into making homemade orange chicken taught her that good food can be both simple and satisfying. Cooking at home allowed her to control the flavors and create a dish that had just the right amount of sweetness and zest. The compliments from family and friends were the cherry on top, making every kitchen experiment worthwhile.

Ingredients List

To create a delicious orange chicken, you’ll need a variety of ingredients to enhance its flavor.

Main Ingredients:

• Chicken:
  • Chicken Thighs or Chicken Breasts

Sauce Ingredients:

• Soy Sauce
• Orange Juice (freshly squeezed or store-bought)
• Orange Zest (from fresh oranges)
• Sweeteners:
  • Sugar or Brown Sugar
  • Optional: Honey

Flavor Enhancers:

• Garlic (minced)
• Ginger (grated)
• Green Onions or Scallions (chopped)

Spices:

• Red Pepper Flakes or Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (for heat)

Oils and Vinegars:

• Vegetable Oil or Olive Oil (for cooking)
• Sesame Oil (optional for flavor)
• Rice Vinegar or white vinegar

For Coating:

• Cornstarch or All-Purpose Flour

Optional Garnishes:

• Sesame Seeds or Toasted Sesame Seeds

These ingredients combine to create a tasty, tangy orange chicken dish that’s sure to please. Adjust the spices and sweeteners according to personal preference and desired heat level.

How to Make Orange Chicken Recipe

Orange chicken combines savory and sweet flavors with crispy fried chicken coated in a tangy orange sauce. It requires marinating the chicken and frying it to achieve the perfect crispiness.

Step By Step Instruction

1. Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, mix soy sauce, sugar, and a beaten egg. Add pieces of boneless, skinless chicken breast to the mixture, ensuring they are well-covered. Let the marinated chicken sit at room temperature for around 30 minutes.
2. Fry the Chicken: Take marinated chicken and coat each piece in flour, then beaten egg, and once more in flour for a crispy texture. Heat canola oil in a pot and fry the chicken until golden brown. Drain excess oil and set aside.
3. Make the Sauce: In a pan, combine orange juice, soy sauce, chicken broth, sugar, and cornstarch. Cook on medium heat until thick. Add the fried chicken to the sauce, mixing well to ensure every piece is coated. Allow it to simmer for a few minutes before serving.

Creating the Orange Sauce

Crafting the perfect orange sauce involves balancing sweet and tangy flavors while ensuring a smooth and thick consistency. Achieving the right flavor profile requires careful selection and combination of ingredients like fresh orange juice and vinegar. Thickening the sauce needs attention to texture and consistency, often using cornstarch as a primary agent.

Balancing Flavors

To balance flavors, start with fresh orange juice for a natural sweetness. Fresh orange zest adds an aromatic quality, enhancing the fruity notes. Vinegar introduces a tangy counterpoint, offering depth to the sweetness.

Incorporate up to two garlic cloves for savoriness and a hint of fresh ginger to introduce a mild spice. For extra complexity, add a splash of hoisin sauce which provides a subtle umami flavor, rounding out the sauce. Adjusting the amount of each ingredient allows precise control over the sauce’s taste profile, making it customizable for individual preferences.

Thickening the Sauce

Create a perfectly thick sauce by combining cornstarch with cold water. This mixture, known as a slurry, should be added to the sauce gradually. Begin with one tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with two tablespoons of water; slowly whisk it into the simmering sauce.

Allow the sauce to cook on low heat, stirring frequently to prevent clumping, until it reaches the desired thickness. Achieving the right consistency ensures it coats the chicken without overwhelming it, allowing the flavors to blend seamlessly. Adjust the amount of cornstarch based on personal preference for thicker or thinner sauce textures.

Combining Ingredients

Transforming simple chicken pieces into a delicious orange chicken involves two key processes: coating the chicken in a sticky sauce and sautéing it with vegetables. Each step plays a crucial role in creating a dish that’s both flavorful and visually appealing.

Coating Chicken in Sauce

To start, crispy chicken pieces are coated with a flavorful sauce made from ingredients like orange marmalade, soy sauce, and optional chili peppers for a bit of heat. This blend gives the chicken its signature sweetness and tanginess.

For a thicker sauce, a small amount of cornstarch mixed with water can be used. This creates a glaze-like texture that clings to the chicken, enhancing its sticky quality. It’s important to stir the sauce continuously until it thickens to ensure a smooth consistency that fully covers the chicken.

Sautéing with Vegetables

Next, vegetables are added to the mix to balance the flavors and add texture. Popular options include bell peppers, broccoli, and snap peas. These not only complement the sweet and tangy sauce but also add color and nutritional value to the meal.

The chicken and prepared sauce are sautéed together with the vegetables to ensure even coating and flavor distribution. This step should be done over medium to high heat, which helps the chicken absorb the sauce fully while maintaining the crispiness of the vegetables. The result is a harmonious blend of crispy chicken and tender vegetables.

Serving Suggestions

Orange chicken pairs well with a variety of side dishes and can be served over rice or cauliflower rice. These options balance the sweet and tangy flavors of the chicken with a mild, complementary base.

Chow mein noodles offer a different texture and can make the meal more filling. The soft noodles work nicely with the crispy chicken pieces.

Adding some fresh chopped green onions on top can introduce a crisp, slightly spicy contrast. This garnish also adds a touch of color to the dish.

For a complete meal, consider adding steamed vegetables such as broccoli or snap peas. These provide a healthy, crunchy addition.

Side salads like bok choy or cabbage salads can add a refreshing element to the meal. They bring in a mix of textures and flavors that go well with orange chicken.

Storing and Reheating

To keep orange chicken fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container. Refrigerate the dish within two hours of cooking to maintain quality. Orange chicken can last in the fridge for up to three days.

For longer storage, freeze the chicken. Use freezer-safe bags or containers and label them with the date. Frozen orange chicken is best used within three months.

When it’s time to reheat, several methods work well to avoid sogginess:

Oven Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
2. Place the chicken in an oven-safe dish and cover with foil.
3. Heat for 10-12 minutes, removing the foil for the last few minutes to ensure crispiness.

Air Fryer:

1. Set the air fryer to 390°F.
2. Place the chicken in the basket.
3. Reheat for 5-7 minutes until crispy.

Stovetop:

1. Heat a small amount of oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add the orange chicken and stir occasionally.
3. Cook for about 2 minutes or until hot.

These techniques help maintain the original flavor and texture. Remember to check the chicken is steaming hot all the way through, especially when reheating from frozen.

Nutritional Information

Orange chicken is a popular dish that can vary in nutritional content based on ingredients and preparation methods. The calorie count often depends on the portion size and how the chicken is cooked, such as frying or baking.

A typical serving might contain around 300 to 400 calories. This includes proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Using healthier ingredients or cooking methods can affect these numbers.

Key components of this dish are proteins from the chicken, carbohydrates from any batter or sauce, and fats from cooking oil.

Reducing sugar in the sauce or using less oil can decrease the calorie intake while enhancing the nutritional profile.

Nutrient Breakdown (Per Serving):

• Protein: 20-25g
• Carbohydrates: 30-35g
• Fats: 15-20g

Ingredients like orange juice, honey, or coconut aminos can add some sugar, so it’s important to monitor these portions when cooking.

Choosing lean chicken breast and decreasing sugary sauce can help create a healthier option.

Variations and Substitutions

Orange chicken offers plenty of room for creativity in the kitchen. With a few changes, cooks can personalize the dish to fit their taste or dietary needs.

For a copycat recipe of popular restaurant versions, using white meat chicken breasts is common. This can be dipped in cornstarch or flour mixtures to achieve a crispy texture.

An easy orange chicken recipe might swap regular sugar with brown sugar for extra depth in flavor. Adding a splash of soy sauce can also bring a richer taste.

For those who prefer a tangy flavor, substituting lemon juice for orange juice can add a zesty kick. This change can make the dish feel fresh and vibrant.

Ground chicken can be used instead of whole pieces for a quick weeknight dinner solution. This variation cooks faster and can be served over rice or noodles.

Vegetarian options are easily made by swapping chicken with tofu or cauliflower. These substitutions hold the sauce well and deliver on flavor.

Experimenting with spices like ginger or chili flakes can adjust the heat level, catering to personal preferences for spice.

Using honey instead of sugar provides a natural sweetness, perfect for those looking to avoid processed sugar.

The choice of oil for frying also impacts the flavor. Olive oil is a healthy option, while sesame oil adds a more traditional Asian taste.

With so many variations to choose from, this dish can be tailored to suit any preference, making it a versatile choice for any cook.