Recipes · Main Dishes · Asian
Sweet Orange Chicken
- Favorite
Ingredients
- Orange Sauce Ingredients
- To Serve
Instructions
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add the cornstarch and mix well, let it sit for a few seconds. Dip in the egg and lastly in the corn flour.
- Heat the oil to 350°F (180ºC) and fry until browned on every side. Transfer to a dish with kitchen towels to remove excess grease.
- Mix cornstarch with water until it dissolves.
- In a pot, combine the orange juice, orange zest, honey, soy sauce, garlic, red pepper paste, ginger and rice vinegar and bring to a simmer. Add the cornstarch mixture and cook for a couple of minutes, until it starts to thicken.
- Add the chicken to the sauce and toss until fully covered.
- Serve with greens, green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
Orange Juice: Use freshly squeezed orange juice for the best flavor. It makes a significant difference compared to store-bought.
Orange Type: Navel or Valencia oranges are great for orange chicken due to their sweetness and the amount of juice they provide. Ensure they are fresh to maximize the flavor.
Chicken Thighs: Boneless skinless chicken thighs can be used instead of boneless skinless chicken breasts. They offer more flavor and tend to be juicier and more forgiving during cooking.
Frying Tips: Make sure your oil is hot enough before adding the chicken to guarantee it gets crispy and doesn’t absorb too much oil.
Sauce Consistency: Simmer the sauce just until it thickens to avoid it becoming too gooey. The consistency should coat the back of a spoon lightly. If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can add more cornstarch mixture. For a thinner sauce, simply reduce the amount.
Flavor Balance: Taste your sauce as you cook and adjust the sweetness or tartness to your liking. Sometimes a little extra honey or a splash more vinegar can balance the flavors perfectly.
Spice it Up: To add more heat to the orange sauce, include additional red pepper flakes or a bit of chili paste to the sauce while cooking. Adjust according to your spice preference.
Gluten-Free: To make gluten-free orange chicken, use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure your cornstarch and other ingredients are certified gluten-free.