This Easy Orange Chicken recipe is your solution for a quick, flavorful, and satisfying meal that tastes like it came from your favorite take-out spot, but is incredibly simple to make at home. Get ready for a taste of sweet, tangy perfection!
Key Ingredients for Easy Orange Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or other neutral cooking oil)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (from about 1-2 oranges)
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey (or brown sugar)
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (for thickening the sauce)
- 1/4 cup water
- Optional garnishes: toasted sesame seeds, sliced green onions
How to Make Easy Orange Chicken
Get ready for an incredibly simple yet incredibly satisfying Easy Orange Chicken experience! This recipe is designed for speed and flavor, requiring minimal effort for maximum deliciousness. The crispy chicken coated in a glistening, tangy-sweet orange sauce is truly delightful. With a preparation time of just 20 minutes and a cooking time of another 20 minutes, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Add the cut chicken pieces and toss to coat them evenly. Ensure each piece is well-covered with the dry mixture. This step is crucial for achieving that signature crispy texture.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add the coated chicken in a single layer. You may need to cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can lead to steaming instead of crisping. Cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
- Make the Orange Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the fresh orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and grated ginger. In a separate very small bowl or cup, whisk together the remaining 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with the 1/4 cup of water to create a slurry. This slurry will be used to thicken our delicious sauce.
- Combine and Thicken: Wipe out the skillet if there’s excessive oil, or add a teaspoon of fresh oil if needed. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Pour the orange juice mixture into the skillet and bring it to a simmer. Once simmering, slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency, which should take about 1-2 minutes.
- Coat the Chicken: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet with the thickened orange sauce. Toss gently to coat each piece thoroughly. Let it simmer for another minute to ensure the chicken is heated through and well-coated in the glossy sauce.
- Serve: Serve your Easy Orange Chicken immediately. It’s fantastic served over steamed white or brown rice, with a side of steamed broccoli or other vegetables. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions for an extra pop of flavor and visual appeal.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Orange Chicken
You’ll absolutely adore this Easy Orange Chicken because it delivers that addictive sweet, tangy, and slightly savory flavor profile that makes takeout so appealing, but with a delightful homemade crunch. This recipe’s main feature is its incredible simplicity; you get that restaurant-quality taste without the fuss or the lengthy preparation time. Plus, making it at home is significantly more cost-effective than ordering in, allowing you to enjoy this crowd-pleaser more often without breaking the bank. The sweet burst of fresh orange juice, combined with the savory soy sauce and a hint of ginger, creates a sauce that’s simply irresistible, making it a standout among other chicken dishes.
Forget the stress of complicated recipes or the expense of delivery fees; this Easy Orange Chicken is your ticket to a delicious and economical meal. It’s a fantastic alternative to dishes like sweet and sour chicken, offering a brighter, more pronounced citrus flavor that excites the palate. Imagine the satisfaction of creating such a flavorful dish from scratch, perfect for satisfying those cravings any night of the week. So why wait? Gather your ingredients and bring the deliciousness of Easy Orange Chicken into your own kitchen today!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Properly storing and reheating your Easy Orange Chicken ensures you can enjoy its deliciousness even days later.
- Refrigeration: Once cooled, transfer any leftover Easy Orange Chicken to an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: For the best results, reheat the chicken gently.
- Stovetop: The stovetop method is ideal for retaining some crispiness. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and sauce, stirring occasionally until heated through.
- Oven: For a more even heating, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the chicken in a single layer on a baking sheet and warm for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. You can add a tablespoon of water or orange juice to the chicken before heating to help keep the sauce from drying out.
- Microwave: While convenient, microwaving can make the chicken a bit softer. Heat at 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
- Freezing: If you wish to freeze it for longer storage, allow the chicken to cool completely. Store it in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating using one of the methods above.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Orange Chicken is the perfect blend of convenience and incredible flavor, proving that delicious meals don’t need to be complicated. We encourage you to give this recipe a try and experience the joy of homemade take-out favorites!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Easy Orange Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Add the cut chicken pieces and toss to coat them evenly. Ensure each piece is well-covered with the dry mixture. This step is crucial for achieving that signature crispy texture.1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add the coated chicken in a single layer. You may need to cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can lead to steaming instead of crisping. Cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- In a small bowl, whisk together the fresh orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and grated ginger. In a separate very small bowl or cup, whisk together the remaining 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with the 1/4 cup of water to create a slurry. This slurry will be used to thicken our delicious sauce.1/2 cup fresh orange juice, 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 1/4 cup water
- Wipe out the skillet if there’s excessive oil, or add a teaspoon of fresh oil if needed. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Pour the orange juice mixture into the skillet and bring it to a simmer. Once simmering, slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency, which should take about 1-2 minutes.2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 2 cloves garlic, 1/2 cup fresh orange juice, 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 1/4 cup water
- Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet with the thickened orange sauce. Toss gently to coat each piece thoroughly. Let it simmer for another minute to ensure the chicken is heated through and well-coated in the glossy sauce.1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Serve your Easy Orange Chicken immediately. It’s fantastic served over steamed white or brown rice, with a side of steamed broccoli or other vegetables. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions for an extra pop of flavor and visual appeal.toasted sesame seeds, sliced green onions