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–+ servings
Orange Chicken

Homemade Orange Chicken: Crispy, Zesty, and Irresistibly Good

This homemade Orange Chicken captures the magic of takeout in a quick and healthier version that’s irresistibly good!
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1 pound Boneless skinless chicken thighs Cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 cup All-purpose flour Or gluten-free flour
  • 1/2 cup Cornstarch For crispy coating
  • 1 teaspoon Salt Adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Black pepper Adjust for spice preference
  • 1 large Egg Can use egg replacer
  • 1 1/4 cups Water Adjust for thickness
  • 2 cups Vegetable oil For frying
For the Orange Sauce
  • 1 large Orange Juice and zest
  • 1/4 cup Soy sauce Use gluten-free if needed
  • 2 tablespoons Rice vinegar Or white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup Brown sugar Adjust to taste
  • 3 cloves Garlic cloves Minced or use garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon Cornstarch For thickening
  • 1 tablespoon Water For cornstarch slurry
Optional Garnishes
  • 1 tablespoon Sesame seeds For garnish
  • 2 tablespoons Green onions Chopped for garnish
  • 1 teaspoon Red pepper flakes Optional for heat

Equipment

  • Medium Saucepan
  • Mixing bowl
  • Slotted spoon
  • Thermometer

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Cut the boneless, skinless chicken thighs into 1-inch cubes. Mix the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, and black pepper in a bowl.
  2. Add the egg, 1 ¼ cups of water, and a splash of vegetable oil to create the batter. Coat the chicken in the batter and chill for 30 minutes.
  3. Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a medium saucepan to 350°F (177°C).
  4. Fry the battered chicken in batches for 1-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
  5. In another saucepan, combine the juice and zest of the orange, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and minced garlic. Bring to a low boil.
  6. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water to create a slurry. Add to the sauce and cook until thickened.
  7. Toss the fried chicken into the thickened orange sauce until coated.
  8. Serve garnished with sesame seeds, green onions, and red pepper flakes if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 25gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Ensure oil is at the right temperature for maximum crispness. Adjust batter thickness and fry in small batches for best results.

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