Get that perfect takeout experience at home with this crispy Orange Chicken. Tender chicken pieces are fried to a golden crisp and then tossed in a vibrant, sticky, sweet and tangy orange sauce. A family favorite that's surprisingly easy to make.
Prep20 min
Cook20 min
Servings4
Serving size: 1 serving
580cal
37gprotein
42gcarbs
29g
Ingredients
1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into 1-inch cubes)
1 large egg white (lightly beaten)
1 tbsp soy sauce (for marinade)
1 tbsp shaoxing wine (can substitute with dry sherry)
A classic Indo-Chinese stir-fry with tender chicken, crunchy peanuts, and vibrant veggies tossed in a sweet, spicy, and tangy sauce. A restaurant favorite you can easily make at home.
A classic takeout favorite made at home! Tender chicken, fluffy eggs, and crisp vegetables tossed with savory day-old rice and soy sauce. This one-pan meal is incredibly easy to whip up for a quick weeknight dinner.
About Orange Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken and Chicken Fried Rice
Tangy Orange Chicken, spicy Kung Pao & aromatic fried rice - a protein-packed, energy-giving feast!
This chinese_american dish is perfect for dinner. With 1574.8899999999999 calories and 110.70000000000002g of protein per serving, it's a nutritious choice for your meal plan.
fat
1 cup fresh orange juice (from about 2-3 large oranges)
1 tbsp orange zest
2 tbsp rice vinegar
0.25 cup granulated sugar
1 inch ginger (finely minced)
3 cloves garlic (finely minced)
0.5 tsp red chili flakes (optional, adjust to taste)
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
2 tbsp cold water (for slurry)
2 stalks scallions (thinly sliced for garnish)
1 tsp toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
1
Marinate the Chicken
In a medium bowl, combine the cubed chicken thighs, egg white, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and Shaoxing wine.
Mix thoroughly until every piece is coated. Set aside to marinate for at least 15-20 minutes at room temperature.
2
Prepare Coating and Sauce
While the chicken marinates, prepare the dry coating. In a large bowl or a shallow dish, whisk together 1/2 cup cornstarch, all-purpose flour, salt, and white pepper.
In a separate small bowl, prepare the sauce by whisking together the fresh orange juice, orange zest, 3 tbsp soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar. Set aside.
3
Fry the Chicken
Heat 3 cups of vegetable oil in a wok or deep, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer for accuracy.
Dredge the marinated chicken pieces in the flour mixture, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Shake off any excess.
Working in 2-3 batches to avoid overcrowding, carefully add the chicken to the hot oil. Fry for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.
Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon and let it drain on a wire rack. For extra crispy chicken, increase the oil temperature to 375°F (190°C) and refry all the chicken for another 1-2 minutes until deep golden brown.
4
Make the Orange Sauce
Carefully pour out the hot oil into a heatproof container, leaving about 1 tablespoon of oil in the wok. Return the wok to medium-high heat.
Add the minced ginger, garlic, and red chili flakes (if using). Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Give the orange sauce mixture a quick stir and pour it into the wok. Bring to a simmer.
In a small cup, mix 1 tbsp of cornstarch with 2 tbsp of cold water to create a smooth slurry. Slowly whisk the slurry into the simmering sauce.
Continue to cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and stir in the toasted sesame oil.
5
Combine and Serve
Add the crispy fried chicken back into the wok with the thickened sauce.
Gently toss everything together until the chicken is evenly coated in the glossy sauce.
Garnish immediately with sliced scallions and toasted sesame seeds.
Serve hot with steamed rice and enjoy right away for the best crispy texture.
428cal
36gprotein
19gcarbs
24gfat
Ingredients
500 g boneless skinless chicken breast (cut into 1-inch cubes)
7 tsp cornstarch (divided for marinade and sauce)
4 tbsp soy sauce (divided for marinade and sauce)
3 tbsp rice vinegar (divided for marinade and sauce)
0.25 tsp white pepper powder
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp sesame oil (toasted)
0.25 cup water
1 tbsp red chili paste (e.g., Sriracha or Schezwan sauce)
3 tbsp vegetable oil
8 pcs dried red chilies (stems removed)
1 inch ginger (finely chopped)
4 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
1 medium onion (diced into 1-inch squares)
1 medium capsicum (any color, diced into 1-inch squares)
0.5 cup roasted peanuts (unsalted)
0.25 cup spring onions (chopped, for garnish)
0.5 tsp salt (or to taste)
Instructions
1
Marinate the Chicken
In a medium bowl, combine the chicken cubes with 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 6 tsp (2 tbsp) of the cornstarch, and the white pepper powder.
Mix thoroughly until each piece of chicken is evenly coated.
Set aside to marinate for at least 15-20 minutes while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
2
Prepare the Kung Pao Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 3 tbsp soy sauce, remaining 2 tbsp rice vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, and red chili paste.
In a separate small bowl, mix the remaining 1 tsp cornstarch with 1/4 cup of water to create a smooth slurry.
Pour the cornstarch slurry into the sauce mixture and whisk until fully combined. Set aside.
3
Stir-fry Aromatics and Chicken
Place a large wok or skillet over high heat and add the vegetable oil. Heat until the oil shimmers and is about to smoke.
Carefully add the dried red chilies and stir-fry for 30-45 seconds until they darken slightly and become fragrant. Be careful not to burn them.
4 cup cooked jasmine rice (Chilled, preferably day-old. From about 1.5 cups uncooked rice.)
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast (Cut into ½-inch pieces)
3 tbsp vegetable oil (Divided. Use a high smoke point oil like canola or avocado.)
3 pcs large eggs (Lightly beaten)
1 pcs yellow onion (Medium, finely chopped)
2 pcs carrots (Medium, diced small)
3 cloves garlic (Minced)
0.75 cup frozen peas (Thawed)
4 tbsp low sodium soy sauce (For the sauce mixture)
1 tsp toasted sesame oil (For the sauce mixture)
1 tbsp shaoxing wine (Optional, but adds authentic flavor. Can substitute with dry sherry.)
1 tsp granulated sugar (Balances the saltiness)
0.25 tsp white pepper (For the sauce mixture)
3 pcs scallions (Thinly sliced, green and light green parts)
0.5 tsp kosher salt (To taste)
Instructions
1
Prepare Ingredients and Sauce
Ensure all vegetables are chopped, garlic is minced, and chicken is diced. Have the cold rice ready.
In a small bowl, whisk together the low sodium soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, Shaoxing wine (if using), granulated sugar, and white pepper. Set this sauce mixture aside.
2
Cook Eggs and Chicken
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
Pour in the beaten eggs and scramble for 1-2 minutes until just set. Immediately transfer the cooked eggs to a clean plate.
Add another tablespoon of oil to the hot wok. Add the diced chicken in a single layer. Season with a pinch of salt. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through (165°F or 74°C). Remove the chicken and set it aside with the eggs.
3
Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables
Add the final tablespoon of oil to the wok. Add the chopped onion and diced carrots. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and the carrots are crisp-tender.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30-60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Add the chopped ginger and garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds until aromatic.
Add the marinated chicken to the wok in a single layer. Allow it to sear for 2-3 minutes without stirring to get a good brown crust. Then, stir-fry for another 3-4 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and opaque.
4
Add Vegetables and Sauce
Add the diced onion and capsicum to the wok with the chicken.
Stir-fry on high heat for 2-3 minutes. The vegetables should be tender but still have a crisp bite.
Give the prepared sauce a final whisk and pour it all over the ingredients in the wok. Stir continuously as the sauce bubbles and thickens, which should take about 1-2 minutes.
5
Finish and Serve
Turn off the heat. Stir in the roasted peanuts.
Taste and adjust seasoning, adding salt if necessary.
Garnish generously with chopped spring onions and serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice or noodles.
4
Fry the Rice
Add the cold rice to the wok with the vegetables. Use your spatula to gently break up any clumps.
Spread the rice into an even layer and let it cook undisturbed for 1-2 minutes to allow it to toast slightly.
Begin stir-frying, tossing the rice with the vegetables for about 3 minutes until it's heated through and you hear a light crackling sound.
5
Combine and Serve
Create a well in the center of the rice and pour in the prepared sauce mixture. Stir everything together quickly to coat the rice evenly.
Return the cooked chicken and scrambled eggs to the wok. Add the thawed peas and most of the sliced scallions (reserving some for garnish).
Toss everything together for 1-2 minutes until fully combined and heated through. Taste and adjust with more salt or soy sauce if needed.
Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining scallions.