Description
This orange chicken recipe is a flavorful classic that tastes better than takeout. It features crispy orange chicken homemade better than takeout with a spicy szechuan orange chicken chili garlic twist. Perfect for an easy 20 minute orange chicken skillet dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
- ¼ cup water
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt fine salt is okay too
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon oil any neutral oil is fine
- 1 cup orange juice about 2 to 3 oranges juiced
- 1 tablespoon orange zest use less if you prefer it less orange-y
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar use more if your oranges are not as sweet
- 1½ tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ tablespoon garlic minced about 1 clove
- ½ teaspoon Chinese chili pepper flakes or 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 stalk green onion thinly sliced white and green separated
- Whole dry chili pepper optional
- Oil as needed for cooking
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine chicken pieces with water baking soda and salt then mix thoroughly until water is absorbed.
- Add eggs and continue mixing until fully incorporated then stir in cornstarch until no dry spots remain and finish by folding in oil evenly.
- Heat 2 to 3 inches of oil in a wok or deep pan until it reaches 375°F.
- Mix together orange juice orange zest ketchup sugar vinegar and cornstarch in a separate bowl and set aside.
- Carefully place chicken pieces into hot oil without crowding and fry for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to separate pieces, then drain for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Return chicken to oil for a second frying, cook until golden and crispy about 5 to 6 minutes, then drain on paper towels or a rack.
- Heat small amount of oil in a wok or pan over medium heat and sauté white green onion parts garlic and chili peppers for 10 to 15 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir sauce mixture and pour into the pan, increasing heat to medium-high, cook until sauce thickens and bubbles while stirring frequently.
- Toss fried chicken in sauce until well coated and serve immediately garnished with green onion tops alongside rice or your choice of side.
Notes
- Please refer to the post above for step by step photo references tips and FAQs
- Adjust orange zest to preference for milder orange flavor
- Modify sugar amount depending on orange sweetness
- Carton orange juice can replace fresh juice though fresh juice yields better flavor
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 478.3kcal
- Sugar: 14.8g
- Sodium: 805.3mg
- Fat: 15.4g
- Saturated Fat: 3.4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.6g + 6.4g
- Trans Fat: 0.1g
- Carbohydrates: 34.5g
- Fiber: 0.8g
- Protein: 47.7g
- Cholesterol: 308.5mg