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Crispy Orange Chicken: 7 Secrets for Perfect Flavor

Orange Chicken

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Crispy, sweet, and tangy, this Orange Chicken recipe is bursting with bold citrus flavor and crunchy golden bites coated in a sticky homemade glaze. Better than takeout and perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • Vegetable oil, for frying
  • 3/4 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Green onions, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
  2. In a bowl, mix chicken pieces with beaten eggs. In another bowl, combine cornstarch and flour. Toss chicken in dry mixture until fully coated.
  3. Fry chicken pieces in hot oil in batches until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
  4. In a separate pan, combine orange juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and orange zest. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  5. Add cornstarch slurry to the sauce and cook until thick and glossy.
  6. Add crispy chicken to the sauce and toss until evenly coated.
  7. Sprinkle with green onions and optional red pepper flakes, then serve over rice.

Notes

  • Serve with steamed rice for a complete meal.
  • Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of brown sugar.
  • For extra crunch, double fry the chicken.

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