Description

Easy Orange Chicken is a sweet, tangy, and crispy takeout favorite made simple at home. With golden chicken bites coated in a glossy orange glaze, this 30-minute dinner recipe delivers bold flavor and texture without deep frying—perfect for weeknight meals, meal prep, or crowd-pleasing family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 egg, beaten
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2–3 tbsp neutral oil (vegetable or avocado) for pan-frying

For the Orange Sauce:

1/2 cup orange juice (fresh or bottled)
1/4 cup sugar or honey
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp ginger powder
1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water (for slurry)
Optional: orange zest, chili flakes, or sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

Prep the Chicken: In a bowl, mix chicken with flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Add the beaten egg and toss to coat.
Pan-Fry Until Golden: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through. Set aside on a plate.
Make the Sauce: In a saucepan, whisk together orange juice, soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, garlic powder, and ginger. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Thicken the Sauce: Mix cornstarch and water to form a slurry. Stir into the sauce and cook until thickened and glossy.
Combine: Add fried chicken to the pan, pour in the orange sauce, and toss to coat evenly. Simmer 2–3 minutes.
Garnish & Serve: Sprinkle with sesame seeds, orange zest, or chili flakes. Serve over rice, noodles, or vegetables.

Notes

Crispy tip: Use cornstarch + flour mix for the best crunch.
Don’t overcrowd: Fry in batches to prevent steaming.
Healthier option: Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20–25 minutes or air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes.
Spicy version: Add chili flakes or sriracha for extra heat.
Storage: Store in airtight containers up to 4 days. Reheat in a skillet for best texture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dinner, Chicken, Asian Recipes
Method: Pan-Fried
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 390
Sugar: 14g
Sodium: 580mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 110mg

Keywords: Easy Orange Chicken, Homemade Orange Chicken, Asian Chicken Recipes, Sweet and Tangy Chicken, Crispy Orange Chicken, Orange Chicken Dinner, Takeout Chicken Recipes, Weeknight Dinners, Chicken with Orange Sauce, Asian Food Recipes