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Crispy Orange Chicken

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A quick and easy homemade crispy orange chicken recipe featuring a crunchy coating and a tangy, sweet orange sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners and loved by the whole family.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • ½ cup (60 g) cornstarch
  • ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • 2 large eggs
  • About 2 cups (480 ml) vegetable oil for frying
  • ½ cup (120 ml) fresh orange juice
  • 1 tsp orange zest
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp honey or brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 green onions, sliced for garnish
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse and pat dry chicken thighs or breasts, then cut into 1½-inch bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together cornstarch, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. In a separate bowl, beat eggs. Add eggs to dry mix and whisk until smooth and slightly thickened.
  3. Dip each chicken piece into the batter, ensuring full coverage. Set on a plate while heating oil.
  4. Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet or pan and heat over medium-high until it reaches 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken pieces in batches for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and crispy, turning occasionally. Remove and drain on paper towels.
  5. While frying, whisk together orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and optional red pepper flakes in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
  6. Add fried chicken to the simmering sauce and toss gently to coat. Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Maintain oil temperature at 350°F for best crispiness. Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding. Use fresh orange juice and zest for best flavor. For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend but keep cornstarch. Double-frying can increase crunchiness. Reheat leftovers in a skillet or oven to restore crispiness; avoid microwave.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy orange chicken, homemade orange chicken, easy dinner, fried chicken, orange sauce, quick recipe, family favorite

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/crispy-orange-chicken-recipe-easy-5-step-homemade-dinner-delight/