Orange Chicken Recipe That’s Sweet and Savory
This orange chicken recipe features crispy fried chicken tossed in a sweet, tangy citrus glaze made from real orange juice, soy sauce, and warm spices. Better than takeout and ready in under 40 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
½ cup cornstarch
½ cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs, beaten
Salt and pepper
Oil for frying
For Sauce:
¾ cup fresh orange juice
1 tbsp orange zest
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp rice vinegar
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tsp grated garlic
1 tsp grated ginger
1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry)
Optional Garnish:
Chopped green onions
Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt and pepper.
- Dredge in egg, then coat in flour/cornstarch mix.
- Heat oil to 350°F. Fry chicken in batches until golden, 3–4 minutes. Drain.
- In saucepan, combine orange juice, zest, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, garlic, and ginger. Simmer 5–7 minutes.
- Stir in cornstarch slurry. Cook 1–2 minutes until thick.
- Toss chicken in sauce.
- Garnish and serve immediately.
Notes
Use chicken breast if preferred. For less sweetness, reduce sugar. Bake or air fry chicken for lighter version. Great with rice or steamed veggies.