Orange Chicken Recipe

Orange chicken is basically a Westernized version of sweet and sour dishes that remain popular in Chinese cuisines. You may be surprised to learn that you can rarely find orange chicken in authentic Chinese restaurants. Americans tend to have more of a “sweet tooth” than the Chinese, so they took the classic sweet and sour sauce and turned it into something that leaned into the former more. The tartness of the citruses used is easily balanced by the other ingredients in orange chicken.

The original recipe for orange chicken comes from the Hunan province in China, where the actual orange or tangerine peels remained in the dish even during cooking. This dish is a lot spicier than its American counterpart, which relies heavily on its sweetness. Apart from orange chicken, Chinese and Chinese-American restaurants have several other notable chicken recipes that both kids and adults alike enjoy. Here are some of my personal favorites that are just as easy to make at home.

How to Cook Orange Chicken

Orange chicken sounds daunting, but it’s actually quite a simple recipe to follow. In no time at all, you’ll be saying goodbye to getting takeout and hello to home-cooked goodness!

1. Prepare all the ingredients. Dice your chicken breast pieces and beat your one raw egg. Dilute 2 tablespoons of cornstarch in 2 tablespoons of water. Make sure to mince your garlic and finely chop your green onions, too, before you start cooking.
2. Coat the chicken with breading. In one container (like a Ziploc, or a plastic tupperware), pour in 2 cups of all purpose flour and a quarter teaspoon of salt and ground black pepper. Incorporate your ingredients well, then set it aside for the time being. In another bowl where you’ve beaten your egg, take your chicken cubes and dip them in the egg mixture, coating all sides evenly before placing it with your dry ingredients (the flour mixture). Close the container and shake it heartily, until you’ve coated your entire egg-covered chicken with the flour.
3. Fry the chicken until crispy. In a pan, heat up your cooking oil and begin to dip your chicken cubes in one by one, deep frying them until they’re a beautiful golden color. This will take about 7 minutes, but you can also monitor it yourself for best results. Once your chicken has deep fried, set it aside on a plate or wire rack.
4. Make your orange chicken sauce. Take another clean pan and pour in your water, soy sauce, vinegar, and orange juice. Bring this combination of liquids to a boil before adding in the garlic you had previously minced. Let this mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, then add your one cup of brown sugar. The sugar helps balance the otherwise tart or savory flavors of your orange chicken sauce. Let that simmer for another 3 to 5 minutes, then toss in your green onions and cornstarch; the latter is a great thickening agent. Mix your sauce well, and take in those absolutely mouthwatering aromas!
5. Add your chicken into the pan and cook until the sauce evaporates. If you like you could leave some for your rice to absorb, but otherwise let your chicken soak up the amazing flavors. Once you’re satisfied, transfer your orange chicken to a bowl and serve it hot!

Similar Recipes to Try

General Tso’s Chicken – Its name comes from a Chinese statesman and military leader during the Qing Dynasty, Tso Zongtang. General Tso’s leans more into saltier, more savory flavors. This is evident by the use of soy sauce, vinegar, and minced ginger in its sauce.

Kung Pao Chicken – Panda Express offers this dish as another one of their chicken entrees. Unlike orange chicken which originated in Hunan, kung pao chicken is a staple of Sichuan cuisine. Not only is this dish super tasty, but it’s gorgeous to look at.

Oriental Lemon Chicken – Similar to orange chicken in its zesty flavors, lemon chicken is another favorite for those who like to indulge their sweet tooth even during lunches or dinners. Just like the orange chicken, the citrus taste of the lemon sauce appeals to almost everyone.

However, no matter what chicken recipe you’re cooking, I firmly believe that all Chinese dishes go best with a steaming cup of Yang Chow Fried Rice.

Enjoy this orange chicken with family and friends, and let us know what you think!

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag us on Instagram at @panlasangpinoy or hashtag #panlasangpinoy so we can see your creations!

5 from 3 votes

Orange Chicken Recipe

Prep: 15 minutes minutes

Cook: 25 minutes minutes

Total: 40 minutes minutes

Print Recipe Rate Recipe

Pin

Email

6

Ingredients

• ▢ 2 lbs boneless chicken breast cubed
• ▢ 1 cup brown sugar
• ▢ 2 cups all purpose flour
• ▢ 1 raw egg beaten
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• ▢ Cooking oil
• ▢ 1 1/2 cup water
• ▢ 4 tablespoons orange juice
• ▢ 2 tbsp cornstarch
• ▢ 1/4 cup vinegar
• ▢ 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic minced
• ▢ 1/2 cup green onions finely chopped

Instructions

• In a container, put-in the flour, salt, and ground black pepper then mix well
• Dip the chicken on the beaten egg mixture and place inside the container (where the flour, salt, and pepper are)
• Close the container and shake until the chicken is evenly coated with the flour mixture
• Deep fry the chicken for about 7 minutes or until the color turns golden brown. Set aside
• In a pan, put-in the water, soy sauce, vinegar, and orange juice then bring to a boil
• Add the garlic and simmer for 5 minutes
• Add the sugar and and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes
• Put-in the green onions and cornstarch (diluted in 2 tbsp of water) then mix well
• Add the deep-fried chicken on pan and cook until sauce nearly evaporates
• Serve hot. Share and Enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Serving: 6g

© copyright: Vanjo Merano