Zesty Citrus-Burst Orange Chicken Recipe: A Family Favorite

Weeknight dinners come alive with this irresistible tangy orange chicken recipe that blends sweet and zesty flavors.

Orange chicken offers a perfect balance of crispy texture and vibrant citrus notes.

Home cooks adore this dish for its restaurant-quality taste and simple preparation method.

Each golden-brown piece promises a burst of bright, tangy goodness that dances on your palate.

The sauce clings beautifully to tender chicken pieces, creating an irresistible coating.

Serve this crowd-pleasing meal over steamed rice for a complete dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds.

You’ll fall in love with how quickly this delectable dish comes together.

Flavor Add-Ons for Sweet Orange Chicken

• Crispy Coating Perfection: Double-dip chicken in egg and flour mixture for an extra crunchy exterior that stays crisp even after sauce coating.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare chicken and sauce separately, storing them in the refrigerator. Reheat and combine just before serving to maintain maximum crispiness.
• Lighter Version: Swap deep-frying with air-frying or baking chicken pieces at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, turning once halfway through for an equally delicious but healthier option.
• Gluten-Free Hack: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce to make the entire dish celiac-friendly without losing authentic flavor.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust red pepper flakes to create mild, medium, or extra-hot versions of orange chicken. For kids or those who prefer less heat, reduce or completely omit pepper flakes while maintaining the bright citrus notes.

Orange Chicken Serving Ideas That Wow

• Cozy Family Dinner Night: Serve this zesty orange chicken with steamed jasmine rice and a side of crisp stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal that brings everyone together.
• Elegant Dinner Party Plating: Arrange the golden chicken pieces artfully on a white platter, drizzle extra orange sauce, and sprinkle fresh green onions and toasted sesame seeds for a restaurant-quality presentation.
• Meal Prep Champion: Pack individual portions with rice and chicken in separate compartments to keep the crispy coating intact, perfect for lunch the next day or a quick work meal that feels gourmet.
• Brunch Twist: Transform the dish by serving smaller chicken bites as appetizers during weekend brunch, paired with mimosas or fresh citrus-infused iced tea for a delightful weekend gathering.

Easy Storage Tips for Orange Chicken Leftovers

• Smart Refrigeration Tactics: Store leftover orange chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Keep sauce and chicken separate to maintain crispiness.
• Quick Reheating Method: Warm chicken in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes. Avoid microwave to prevent soggy texture and preserve original crunchiness.
• Freezing Strategy: Freeze plain fried chicken and sauce separately in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Batch Preparation Hack: Double the recipe and prepare extra chicken for multiple meals. Cook sauce fresh when ready to serve to ensure maximum flavor and texture quality.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 440 kcal

Servings: 4

Classic Orange Chicken: Ingredient Must-Haves

• All-Purpose Flour: Crispy base that helps chicken develop a golden, crunchy exterior with perfect texture.
• Cornstarch: Creates an ultra-light, delicate coating that ensures maximum crispiness when fried.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances the sweetness of the sauce.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and depth to the chicken's coating.
• Garlic Powder: Infuses savory notes and provides a background aromatic complexity.

• Chicken Pieces: Tender protein that absorbs sauce beautifully and provides a delicious main component.
• Egg: Helps coating adhere perfectly and creates a smooth binding layer for dry ingredients.
• Water: Helps thin egg mixture for even coating distribution.

• Orange Juice: Provides bright, citrusy base that gives the classic tangy flavor.
• Orange Zest: Intensifies fresh orange essence and adds aromatic depth.
• Soy Sauce: Contributes umami and rich, salty undertones to balance sweetness.
• Honey: Creates glossy, sweet-sticky sauce with natural caramelization.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds subtle acidic balance and helps cut through richness.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces gentle heat and complexity to sauce.
• Cornstarch Slurry: Thickens sauce to perfect clingy consistency.
• Garlic: Adds sharp, pungent base note to sauce.
• Ginger: Provides warm, spicy undertone that complements citrus.

• Green Onions: Fresh, sharp flavor that brightens entire dish.

Tools for the Best Homemade Orange Chicken

• Whisk: Essential for blending egg and water smoothly.
• Mixing Bowls: Two separate bowls needed for coating chicken.
• Large Skillet or Wok: Perfect for deep frying chicken pieces.
• Tongs: Helpful for safely turning and removing chicken from hot oil.
• Paper Towels: Used for draining excess oil from fried chicken.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Cutting Board: For chopping garlic, ginger, and green onions.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for precise ingredient preparation.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps stir sauce and toss chicken.

How to Make Orange Chicken Crispy and Zesty

• Prepare Chicken Coating

Whisk together egg and water in one container. In another bowl, blend dry ingredients for a tasty, crispy coating.

• Dredge Chicken Pieces

Dunk chicken into egg mixture, then generously roll in seasoned flour blend, ensuring complete coverage.

• Heat Frying Oil

Pour oil into a skillet, warming it to a sizzling medium-high temperature for perfect golden crunch.

• Crisp Chicken Pieces

Carefully place chicken into hot oil, cooking each side until a beautiful bronze color develops. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil.

• Create Zesty Sauce

Sauté minced garlic and ginger quickly in a pan to release aromatic flavors. Pour in citrusy juice, tangy vinegar, sweet honey, savory soy sauce, and spicy pepper flakes.

• Thicken Sauce

Introduce cornstarch mixture to sauce, stirring until it transforms into a luscious, glossy coating.

• Combine and Coat

Gently toss crispy chicken in vibrant orange sauce, ensuring each piece gets lavishly covered.

• Serve and Garnish

Plate over fluffy rice, sprinkle with fresh green onions and toasted sesame seeds for a restaurant-quality meal.

Tangy Orange Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Culinary enthusiasts will adore this classic orange chicken recipe from Chinese-American cuisine. Tangy sauce and crispy chicken pieces create a delightful harmony of flavors that you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound (450 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
• ½ cup cornstarch
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsps water
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¾ cup fresh orange juice (from about 2 oranges)
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup honey or brown sugar
• 2 tbsps rice vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• 1 tbsp sesame oil (for extra flavor, optional)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsps water (slurry)
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• Cooked jasmine or basmati rice
• Green onions, sliced
• Sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Coating Preparation: Mix beaten egg with water in a shallow vessel, creating a smooth liquid base for dredging chicken pieces.
2. Dredging Station: Blend cornstarch, flour, and dry spices in a separate bowl to create a seasoned coating that ensures uniform coverage and maximum flavor.
3. Chicken Dredging: Dip each chicken piece into egg wash, then thoroughly coat with seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to secure an even layer.
4. Frying Technique: Heat oil in a deep skillet to medium-high temperature, carefully introducing chicken pieces in batches to maintain consistent heat and achieve a crisp, golden-brown exterior.
5. Oil Drainage: Transfer fried chicken to paper towels, allowing excess oil to drain while preserving the crispy texture.
6. Sauce Creation: Sauté minced garlic and ginger in a saucepan, releasing their aromatic qualities as a flavor foundation for the orange sauce.
7. Sauce Development: Combine orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes, whisking in a cornstarch slurry to create a glossy, thickened sauce with balanced sweet-tangy notes.
8. Final Glazing: Generously coat each crispy chicken piece with the vibrant orange sauce, ensuring complete and elegant coverage.
9. Presentation: Arrange glazed chicken over steamed rice, garnishing with fresh green onion slivers and toasted sesame seeds for a visually appealing and textural finish.

Notes

• Maintain Oil Temperature: Keep oil consistently around 350-375°F for perfect golden-brown exterior without burning or undercooking chicken pieces.
• Control Coating Thickness: Apply flour mixture gently and evenly, avoiding clumpy or excessive layers that can create uneven texture and soggy results.
• Manage Sauce Consistency: Whisk cornstarch slurry carefully to prevent lumps and achieve smooth, glossy sauce that clings perfectly to crispy chicken.
• Fresh Citrus Impact: Use freshly squeezed orange juice and zest for vibrant, authentic flavor instead of pre-packaged alternatives.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 58 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg