Description
Crispy, golden chicken tossed in a tangy, sweet homemade orange sauce — this takeout-style favorite is bursting with flavor and texture in every bite.
Ingredients
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: 1.5 lbs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Eggs: 2 large
- Cornstarch: 1 cup
- All-Purpose Flour: 1/2 cup
- Salt and Pepper: 1 tsp each
- Vegetable Oil: For deep frying
- Orange Juice: 3/4 cup, freshly squeezed
- Orange Zest: 1 tbsp
- Soy Sauce: 1/4 cup
- Rice Vinegar: 2 tbsp
- Brown Sugar: 1/3 cup
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
- Fresh Ginger: 1 tbsp, minced
- Red Chili Flakes: 1/2 tsp (optional)
- Cornstarch Slurry: 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water
- Green Onions & Sesame Seeds: For garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F.
- Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk eggs. In another, mix cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper. Dip each chicken piece in egg, then dredge in the flour mixture.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Line a plate with paper towels. Keep a wire rack ready if you want extra crispiness post-fry.
- Assemble the Dish: Fry chicken in batches, avoiding overcrowding. Cook until golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
- Cook to Perfection: In a clean skillet, sauté garlic and ginger in a splash of oil. Add orange juice, zest, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, and chili flakes. Simmer, then stir in cornstarch slurry to thicken.
- Finishing Touches: Toss crispy chicken in the hot orange sauce until fully coated and glossy.
- Serve and Enjoy: Plate it over rice, sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds, and dive in while it’s hot and sticky.
Notes
- Use room temperature chicken for even cooking.
- Let fried chicken rest on a wire rack to stay crispy.
- Make a double batch of sauce if you like it extra saucy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Keywords: orange chicken, crispy chicken, homemade takeout, Chinese-American, sweet and sour, orange sauce, easy dinner