Description
Orange Chicken is a delightful homemade take on the beloved Chinese-American classic. This recipe features tender, marinated chicken thighs that are double-fried to achieve a golden, crispy exterior and then tossed in a zesty orange sauce that strikes the perfect balance between sweet and spicy. In just 30 minutes, you can whip up this crowd-pleaser for your family or serve it at special occasions. With its vibrant colors and irresistible flavors, it’s sure to become a favorite at your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- ¼ cup water
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1½ tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ tablespoon garlic (minced)
- ½ teaspoon Chinese chili pepper flakes
- 1 stalk green onion (thinly sliced)
- Whole dry chili pepper (optional)
- Oil (as needed for cooking)
Instructions
- Marinate chicken thighs with water, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl until absorbed.
- Add eggs and cornstarch; mix until well coated.
- Heat oil in a wok to 375°F.
- Prepare the sauce by combining orange juice, zest, ketchup, sugar, vinegar, and cornstarch in a bowl.
- Fry the marinated chicken in batches for about 4-5 minutes until golden brown; drain on paper towels.
- For extra crispiness, fry the chicken again for another 5-6 minutes.
- Stir-fry garlic and chili flakes in oil, add sauce mixture, and cook until thickened.
- Toss fried chicken pieces in the sauce to coat evenly before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 140mg