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Easy Orange Chicken Recipe (Better Than Takeout in 30 Minutes)

Easy Orange Chicken Recipe (Better Than Takeout in 30 Minutes)
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Why order orange chicken takeout when you can make it fresh at home in under 30 minutes? This Easy Orange Chicken Recipe features crispy chicken bites coated in a bright, sweet, and savory homemade orange sauce. It’s quick, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 6 boneless chicken thighs or about 2 lb chicken tenderloins

  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

  • 1 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)

  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon paprika (for color)

  • Vegetable oil, for frying

Orange Chicken Sauce

  • ¾ cup fresh orange juice

  • 1½ tablespoons cornstarch

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

  • 1½ tablespoons rice vinegar (or white vinegar)

  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

  • ½ tablespoon fresh ginger, grated

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

  • 1 teaspoon orange zest

  • Chili flakes, optional (for heat)

Instructions

  • Prepare the Chicken
    Dice the chicken into ½-inch pieces and place in a large bowl. Add flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, onion powder, paprika, and ground ginger. Toss until evenly coated.

  • Fry the Chicken
    Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken in batches for 2–3 minutes, until golden and crispy. Do not overcook. Remove and set aside.

  • Make the Orange Sauce
    In a bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients until smooth.

  • Cook the Sauce
    Pour the sauce into a hot nonstick skillet over low to medium heat. Simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened.

  • Combine
    Add the fried chicken to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. Let simmer together for 1–2 minutes, then remove from heat.

  • Serve
    Serve hot with white rice or lo mein noodles. Garnish with green onions or toasted sesame seeds if desired.

Notes

  • Use fresh orange juice: It gives the sauce a brighter, fresher flavor.

  • Don’t overcook the chicken: Overcooking makes it chewy instead of tender.

  • Adjust sweetness: Add more brown sugar if you like a sweeter sauce.

  • Extra crisp: Fry chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.

  • Spicy option: Add chili flakes or a dash of sriracha to the sauce.

Find it online: https://tastyquickly.com/easy-orange-chicken-recipe-better-than-takeout-in-30-minutes/