Description
Easy Crispy Orange Chicken is a quick homemade dinner with juicy golden chicken tossed in a sticky sweet orange sauce made with fresh orange juice, garlic, soy sauce, and ginger. This crispy orange chicken recipe is perfect for weeknight meals, easy takeout-style dinners, and anyone craving bold citrus flavor with a crunchy finish.
Ingredients
2 pounds chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 large eggs
1 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
vegetable oil for frying
3/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon orange zest
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
2 green onions, sliced
1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Instructions
1. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels and set them aside.
2. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs until smooth.
3. In another bowl, mix the cornstarch, flour, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
4. Dip each piece of chicken into the egg, then coat it well in the cornstarch mixture.
5. Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat.
6. Fry the chicken in batches for 4 to 5 minutes, turning as needed, until golden brown and cooked through.
7. Transfer the fried chicken to a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate.
8. In a saucepan, combine the orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger.
9. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
10. In a small bowl, stir together 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water.
11. Pour the slurry into the sauce and stir until the sauce thickens and turns glossy.
12. Place the fried chicken in a large bowl and pour the warm orange sauce over it.
13. Toss gently until the chicken is evenly coated.
14. Top with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, then serve immediately.
Notes
For the crispiest texture, fry the chicken in small batches so the oil temperature stays steady.
Fresh orange juice and zest give the sauce a brighter flavor than bottled juice alone.
If you want a little heat, stir a pinch of red pepper flakes into the sauce while it simmers.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 165mg