Chinese Orange Chicken made with crispy fried chicken covered in an authentic orange sauce. The ultimate Chinese Orange Chicken Recipe which is way better than take-out.
My kids are always begging me to take them to grab Chinese food. They are obsessed with orange chicken but I am never really sure what's in it....especially if they get it from a drive-thru. I wanted to create a version at home, made from scratch, with all-natural ingredients. It still has the same incredible flavor they love. It's definitely a win-win in our home.
It is wintertime in Arizona which means that the citrus is ripe for the picking. I am surrounded by neighbors who have a plethora of fresh oranges and lemons hanging from their trees. This is the perfect time of year to whip up orange and lemon dishes especially this Chinese Orange Chicken.
This Chinese Orange Chicken is made with boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces, dredged, and then fried until golden and crispy. The orange sauce is divine! It is a sweet orange sauce made with orange juice, vinegar, garlic, sugar, soy sauce, ginger, red chili flakes, and orange zest. It is both sweet and spicy and full of flavor.
How to make Chinese Orange Chicken at home:
- Start with boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs. Cut into bite-size pieces. Dredge the chicken in whisked eggs and cornstarch/flour mixture until nice and coated. Get these chicken pieces ready for the oil.
- To make your homemade orange sauce, place orange juice, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and red chili flakes in a small pot and cook over medium-high heat. Add cornstarch and water and cook until thickened. Stir in orange zest.
- Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. When frying foods, it is so helpful to use a thermometer. Let the oil heat up to 350 degrees. Once the oil is ready, in batches, cook chicken for about 2 minutes until light golden brown. Repeat with remaining chicken.
- Remove from oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Toss fried chicken with the sweet orange sauce. Top with grated orange zest and green onions. Serve immediately.
Chinese Orange Chicken
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts cut into bite-size pieces
- 3 Eggs whisked
- ⅓ cup Cornstarch
- ⅓ cup Flour
- Salt
- Oil for frying
Orange Chicken Sauce:
- 1 cup Orange Juice
- ½ cup Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar or White Vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce use tamari for a gluten-free dish
- ¼ teaspoon Ginger
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder or 2 garlic cloves, finely diced
- ½ teaspoon Red Chili Flakes
- Orange Zest from 1 orange
- 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
Garnish:
- Green Onions
- Orange Zest
Instructions
- To make orange sauce:
- In a medium pot, add orange juice, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and red chili flakes. Heat for 3 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk 1 Tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 Tablespoons of water to form a paste. Add to orange sauce and whisk together. Continue to cook for 5 minutes, until the mixture begins to thicken. Once the sauce is thickened, remove from heat and add orange zest.
- To make chicken:
- Place flour and cornstarch in a shallow dish or pie plate. Add a generous pinch of salt. Stir.
- Whisk eggs in shallow dish.
- Dip chicken pieces in egg mixture and then flour mixture. Place on plate.
- Heat 2 -3 inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Using a thermometer, watch for it to reach 350 degrees.
- Working in batches, cook several chicken pieces at a time. Cook for 2 - 3 minutes, turning often until golden brown. Place chicken on a paper-towel-lined plate. Repeat.
- Toss chicken with orange sauce. You may reserve some of the sauce to place on rice. Serve it with a sprinkling of green onion and orange zest, if so desired.
Video
This Orange Chicken is going to make you forget take-out. Let me know how it turns out by reaching out on instagram at @modern_honey. Have a great night, my friends!
Christopher J Schofield
This is absolutely beautiful. I used Kikomens all purpose soy sauce. Thanks.
Sherri
Made this recipe tonight and it was absolutely delicious. I agree it is way better than any take out. This is a definite keeper. I used fresh squeezed orange juice. I can’t wait to make it again. Thank you!!!!
Kyasia
How many oranges did it take u
anna Anderson
Could not have turned out better. Definitely will he making this again. Puts the Chinese restaurant to shame.
Virginia Ellen
I have two things to share:
1) The first time I was making this recipe (and I was super excited, by the way) I thought everything was going well...until I cut into my zested orange and discovered that it was a grapefruit! ????♀️
2) My second attempt (actually using an orange) turned out delicious! I love the sauce and it is so nice to be able to order in now. 😉 Thank you for sharing this.
Hannah
OMG! I love this recipe. The sauce is the perfect combination, I added a little honey in mine. Thank you!
Jenny
I just made this tonight and it was delicious. Thank you
April A
Made this tonight. Didn't "bread" the chicken and was still amazing! All three of my boys and the husband said it was amazing! Will be adding this to our regular rotation! Thanks for a great recipe!
Anna J
I had trouble getting the chicken just right due to timing, but this sauce is so spot on to take out it’s crazy, I actually even added the zest and orange peel into the sauce to make it more orangey., I always hate when you get orange chicken and you can hardly taste the orange. Will try again with the chicken to get it just right. ????
Jessica Anderson
I love how simple and delicious this recipe is. For someone who feels intimidated by cooking chinese dishes that's a huge thing for it to be this easy! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Lacy Barcak
How many servings in the Orange chicken?
Stacy
Excellent! The chicken has a perfect little crunch and the orange sauce it delicious! I made red peppers and broccoli as well. Delicious!
Wendy
My fiancé loved it!! ☺️ Very delicious
Cindy
I made the orange chicken. Its delicious! Thank you for the recipe.
Angela
Hi! I am planning on making this. How many servings is this?
Thank you!
-Angela
Erin
Wow, made this last night and it was a hit! This sauce is amazing, and there were absolutely no leftovers. We're already thinking of making this again. 10/10 will recommend this recipe to anyone
George
Wow! Just finished making and eating this and I'm stuffed! I always loved ordering orange chicken at the restaurant, but this recipe is so much better.
Alicia
Amazing!!! This is a new staple in our home.
Estella
I made the sauce to go with cauliflower and it tastes great. However I was wondering, how thick exactly is it supposed to be? The cornstarch didn't seem to make mine thicken very much. Does it matter how hot it's cooked at? Would it help to try to reduce it on low for a while? Thanks!
Jenecia
This recipe is easily better than any restaurant's. My partner is addicted to it and wants me to make it regularly. It's time-consuming, but worth it.
Meg Evans
I've just made this tonight for my dinner. It's perfect!! No need for chinese takeaway anymore! Thank you!
LVinAustin
Made this for my family who happens to love orange chicken when we do take out. They LOVED this dish. It was fresh and delicious. I added chopped red and green bell pepper and chopped onion for extra veggies. I sautéed the veggies on the side then added them when I tossed the chicken in the sauce. So so good! Thank you for sharing this recipe.
alan
Very good, made this tonight for the fam, awesome recipe