Easy Orange Chicken (30 Minutes)
Crispy bite-sized pieces of chicken tossed in a savory, sweet, and bright orange sauce make the ultimate weeknight comfort meal. This easy orange chicken recipe uses simple ingredients and goes from kitchen counter to dinner table in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil or any neutral oil
- ½ green onion finely chopped
- 1 tbsp orange zest grated
- 1 tsp sesame seeds toasted kind
Orange Chicken Sauce:
- 1 cup freshly-squeezed orange juice pulp removed (from 4-5 oranges)
- 2 tablespoon white vinegar
- 6 tablespoon brown sugar light
- 2 tablespoon regular soy sauce or light soy sauce
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ¼ teaspoon ginger powder
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ tsp red chili flakes optional for spice
Instructions
- Whisk the listed sauce ingredients together in a small bowl until well combined and the sugar has fully dissolved.
- Dice the chicken thighs into uniform 1.5-inch pieces. Do not pat the chicken dry, as a little surface moisture helps the cornstarch stick.
- Transfer the chicken to a large bowl, add the cornstarch, and toss until every piece is evenly coated. If wet spots remain, add 1-2 tablespoons more cornstarch as needed.
- Heat the oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat to 350°F. Fry chicken in small batches for 5-7 minutes total, keeping oil at 325-350°F. Don't move the chicken until the bottom is golden and the crust has set; then flip and fry until the other side is golden and the chicken reaches 165°F. Between batches, return oil to 350°F and remove browned bits.
- Transfer the chicken to a wire rack to drain excess oil and keep the crust crisp. Remove the remaining oil from the pan.
- Whisk the sauce again, then pour it into the pan and simmer over medium-high heat until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Add the chicken and toss to coat evenly. Garnish with orange zest, sesame seeds, and green onions. Serve immediately.
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Nutrition
Calories: 380kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 144mg | Sodium: 820mg | Potassium: 626mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 331IU | Vitamin C: 46mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 2mg