Chinese Orange Chicken
A delightful dish featuring tender chicken pieces coated in a flavorful orange sauce with a perfect balance of sweetness and zest.
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts Cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups vegetable oil For frying
For the orange sauce
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Zest of 1 orange
For garnish
- 2 pieces green onions, sliced For garnish
- Sesame seeds For garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Start by cutting the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
- In a bowl, mix cornstarch and all-purpose flour. Dredge each piece of chicken in this mixture, coating thoroughly.
Cooking
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully add the breaded chicken pieces to the hot oil, frying them until golden brown and crispy, about 5-6 minutes. You may need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet and drain it on paper towels.
- In a separate saucepan, combine sugar, orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Let this sauce cook for about 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
- Add the fried chicken pieces back into the saucepan, tossing to coat them evenly with the orange sauce. Let the chicken simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from heat and transfer the orange chicken to a serving dish. Garnish with sliced green onions and sprinkle sesame seeds on top.
Notes
Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying the chicken. Cooking in batches allows the chicken to fry evenly. You can experiment with the marinade for enhanced flavor.