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Easy Crispy Homemade Orange Chicken Recipe (Better Than Takeout)

A close-up shot of crispy, battered pieces coated in a glossy, sweet and tangy sauce, ready to serve for an orange chicken recipe.
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Make crispy, juicy orange chicken at home that tastes better than takeout. This recipe delivers a sweet and tangy sticky orange glaze in about 30 minutes, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup water
  • Vegetable oil, for frying
  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons cold water (slurry)
  • Orange zest from 1 orange
  • Cooked white rice, for serving

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
  2. In a separate small bowl, whisk the egg and 1/4 cup water together.
  3. Dip the chicken pieces first into the egg mixture, then dredge thoroughly in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
  4. Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C).
  5. Fry the chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 4 to 6 minutes per batch. Remove chicken and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
  6. While the chicken fries, prepare the sauce: In a small saucepan, combine the orange juice, vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
  7. Whisk in the sesame oil. Slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1 minute until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. Remove from heat and stir in the orange zest.
  8. Place the crispy chicken pieces in a large bowl. Pour the warm orange sauce over the chicken and toss gently until every piece is evenly coated in the sticky glaze.
  9. Serve the orange chicken immediately over cooked white rice.

Notes

  • For extra crispy chicken, you can double-fry the pieces for 1 minute after the first fry, just before tossing in the sauce.
  • If you prefer a baked orange chicken recipe, toss the coated chicken with a light spray of oil and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway.
  • Use fresh orange juice for the best sweet and tangy flavor.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kingscook.com/easy-crispy-orange-chicken-recipe/