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30-Minute Crispy Homemade Orange Chicken

A pile of crispy, glazed pieces of orange chicken recipe coated in a thick, shiny, dark orange sauce.
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Make crispy, tangy, and sweet orange chicken at home in under 30 minutes. This recipe delivers better-than-takeout flavor with juicy chicken pieces coated in a sticky glaze.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil (for pan-frying)
  • 1 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (slurry)
  • Zest of 1 large orange
  • Cooked white rice and steamed broccoli for serving

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg. In a separate shallow dish, combine the flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
  2. Dredge the chicken pieces first in the egg mixture, then coat thoroughly in the flour mixture. Shake off excess coating.
  3. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid crowding. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels. Drain off most of the excess oil from the skillet, leaving about 1 teaspoon.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the orange juice, sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
  5. Whisk the cornstarch slurry once more and pour it into the simmering sauce. Stir constantly until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, about 1 minute.
  6. Stir in the orange zest.
  7. Return the crispy chicken pieces to the skillet. Toss gently to coat every piece evenly with the sticky orange sauce.
  8. Serve immediately over cooked rice with steamed broccoli.

Notes

  • For extra crispy chicken without deep frying, you can bake the coated chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes, flipping halfway, before tossing in the sauce.
  • Air fryer users should cook the coated chicken at 380°F (195°C) for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
  • You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts for a juicier result.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://flavorvista.com/orange-chicken-recipe-30-minute-crispy/