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Orange Chicken

A delightful balance of sweetness and tanginess, this easy orange chicken recipe features crispy chicken coated in a vibrant orange sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Asian
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 6 whole boneless chicken thighs (or 2 lbs. of chicken tenderloins) Use firm thighs or tenderloins with a bright color.
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour Can substitute with gluten-free flour if needed.
  • 1 tbsp corn starch
  • 1 tsp black pepper (or less to taste, fresh ground)
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp ginger powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp paprika (to add color to the chicken)
  • Vegetable oil for frying Ensure it is hot enough before adding chicken.
For the Sauce
  • 3/4 cup fresh orange juice Fresh is preferred for vibrant flavor.
  • 1.5 tbsp corn starch For thickening the sauce.
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce Substitute with tamari for gluten-free.
  • 1.5 tbsp rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1/2 tbsp grated ginger
  • 2 cloves fresh garlic (minced)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper (fresh ground)
  • 1 tsp orange zest
  • Chili flakes (optional to add heat)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Dice the chicken into 1/2 inch cube pieces and place in a bowl. Add in the flour, corn starch, salt, black pepper, onion powder, paprika, and ginger powder to coat the chicken evenly.
Cooking
  1. In a deep frying pan, bring a generous amount of vegetable oil to medium-high heat.
  2. Fry the chicken pieces until they're golden brown, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
  3. While the chicken is frying, whisk together the sauce ingredients in a separate bowl until smooth.
  4. Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a hot non-stick skillet or frying pan, pour in the sauce, and cook on low heat until the sauce thickens.
  5. Transfer the fried chicken to the sauce and mix well to ensure everything is coated, letting it simmer together for 1-2 minutes.

Notes

Serve over rice or noodles and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.