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Irresistible Orange Chicken Recipe Easy Homemade Chinese Meal

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This homemade orange chicken recipe features crispy chicken bites coated in a tangy-sweet orange sauce, perfect for satisfying Chinese food cravings without takeout.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2–3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water (for slurry)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the batter: In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg with 2 tablespoons of water. In a separate bowl, combine the cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper.
  2. Coat the chicken: Dip the chicken pieces into the egg mixture, then dredge them in the flour mix. Shake off excess flour and set aside.
  3. Fry the chicken: Heat 2-3 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in batches, frying until golden brown and cooked through (about 4-5 minutes per side). Remove and drain on paper towels.
  4. Make the sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
  5. Thicken the sauce: Make a slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water. Slowly add it to the sauce, stirring until thickened (about 2-3 minutes).
  6. Combine & serve: Add the fried chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly in the sauce. Serve hot, garnished with sesame seeds or chopped green onions if desired.

Notes

[‘Use fresh orange juice and zest for the best flavor.’, ‘Fry the chicken in batches to ensure even cooking and crispiness.’, ‘Taste the sauce as you go and adjust sweetness, acidity, or spice levels to suit your palate.’, ‘Cut and coat the chicken in advance to save time during cooking.’, ‘Double coat the chicken for extra crunch.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: orange chicken, Chinese food, homemade, crispy chicken, tangy sauce, easy dinner, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/irresistible-orange-chicken-recipe-easy-homemade-chinese-meal/