Description
Orange Chicken offers a quick and delicious blend of sweet, tangy, and crispy flavors perfect for any busy night. Tender boneless chicken thighs are coated in a bright orange glaze made from fresh orange juice, soy sauce, honey, ginger, and garlic, creating a family-friendly dish that pleases all ages with its vibrant flavor and crispy texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the boneless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and season lightly with salt and pepper. Toss them in cornstarch to create a thin coating that will become delightfully crispy after frying.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together fresh orange juice, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, ginger, and orange zest. This mixture will become the heart of your flavor-packed glaze.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the coated chicken pieces in batches until golden brown and crispy on all sides, then transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium and pour the sauce into the same skillet. Let it simmer until slightly thickened, then return the chicken pieces to the pan, tossing them gently to coat each piece in the glossy orange glaze.
- Final Touches: Sprinkle with extra orange zest and a pinch of red pepper flakes if using. Serve immediately while hot and crispy for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Pat dry the chicken to ensure the cornstarch sticks better and yields a crispier crust.
- Use freshly squeezed orange juice for the brightest, most authentic flavor.
- Do not overcrowd the pan when frying; cook in small batches to maintain oil temperature and crispiness.
- Simmer the sauce properly to avoid a watery glaze and achieve a sticky finish.
- Adjust sweetness gradually by tasting the sauce before adding more honey or syrup to keep the flavor balanced.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: orange chicken, quick dinner, crispy chicken, sweet and tangy chicken, family meal, Asian chicken recipe