Description
Chinese Orange Chicken is a delightful dish featuring crispy fried chicken pieces coated in a sweet and tangy orange sauce. This recipe brings the flavors of your favorite takeout right into your kitchen. With fresh ingredients and simple cooking techniques, you can create a delicious and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts cut into bite-size pieces
- 3 Eggs whisked
- 1/3 cup Cornstarch
- 1/3 cup Flour
- Salt
- Oil for frying
Orange Chicken Sauce:
- 1 cup Orange Juice
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar or White Vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce use tamari for a gluten-free dish
- 1/4 teaspoon Ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder or 2 garlic cloves, finely diced
- 1/2 teaspoon Red Chili Flakes
- Orange Zest from 1 orange
- 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
Garnish:
- Green Onions
- Orange Zest
Instructions
To make orange sauce:
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In a medium pot, add orange juice, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and red chili flakes. Heat for 3 minutes.
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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:
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Place flour and cornstarch in a shallow dish or pie plate. Add a generous pinch of salt. Stir.
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Whisk eggs in shallow dish.
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Dip chicken pieces in egg mixture and then flour mixture. Place on plate.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Notes
- Ingredient Quality: Use fresh orange juice and zest for the best flavor.
- Healthier Option: Bake the chicken instead of frying to reduce fat content.
- Adjust to Taste: Modify sweetness and spiciness according to your preference.