Easy Orange Chicken
A quick and cozy orange chicken recipe that delivers the sweet, tangy flavors of takeout without the hassle of deep frying. Perfect for weeknight dinners!
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs Cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp cornstarch For coating the chicken
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
Orange Chicken Sauce
- 1/2 cup orange juice Fresh is great, but bottled is also fine
- 1 tbsp orange zest Adds a great flavor
- 2 tbsp soy sauce For salty depth
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar Can substitute with apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar Or honey, for sweetness
- 2 cloves garlic Minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger Minced
- 1 tbsp cornstarch Mixed with water to thicken sauce
- 1 tbsp water For cornstarch slurry
Instructions
Preparation
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
- In another small bowl, whisk together the orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, minced garlic, and ginger.
Cooking
- Heat a pan with a thin layer of oil over medium heat.
- Add the coated chicken pieces and cook until golden brown and crispy.
- Once the chicken is cooked, pour in the orange sauce mixture and let it bubble for a few minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then stir it into the sauce to thicken it.
- Stop cooking once the sauce coats the chicken and is glossy.
Notes
For best results, serve the chicken immediately after coating with the sauce. If you want, you can air fry the chicken for a healthier option.