Orange Chicken

Name: Orange Chicken
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Chinese-American
Ingredients: 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-in pieces; 1/2 cup cornstarch; 2 large eggs, beaten; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 2 cups vegetable oil, for frying; 1/2 cup fresh orange juice; 2 tsp orange zest; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 2 tbsp rice vinegar; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated; 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes; 2 tsp cornstarch (for sauce); 1 tsp sesame oil; 4 green onions, sliced

Crispy fried chicken bites tossed in a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy orange sauce. This Chinese-American takeout favorite is surprisingly easy to make at home.

45 minMediumServes 4520 cal/serving

Chinese-AmericanDinnerStovetopHigh ProteinLow CarbDairy-FreeNut-FreeLow-SodiumPork-Free

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Ingredients

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-in pieces
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 large eggs, beaten
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 cups vegetable oil, for frying
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
2 tsp orange zest
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
2 tsp cornstarch (for sauce)
1 tsp sesame oil
4 green onions, sliced

Instructions

1

In a bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/2 cup fresh orange juice, 2 tsp orange zest, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp grated fresh ginger, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, and 1 tsp sesame oil. Stir in 2 tsp cornstarch (for sauce) until dissolved. Set the sauce aside.
2

Pat 2 lbs cut into 1-in pieces boneless, skinless chicken thighs dry. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Dip chicken pieces into 2 beaten large eggs, then dredge thoroughly in 1/2 cup cornstarch, shaking off excess.
3

Heat 2 cups vegetable oil in a large wok or deep skillet over medium-high heat to 350°F. Working in batches, fry the coated chicken for 3-4 minutes per batch, turning once, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Drain on a paper-towel-lined plate.
4

Carefully pour off most of the frying oil, leaving about 1 tbsp in the pan. Return the pan to medium heat and pour in the sauce. Cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
5

Add the fried chicken back to the pan and toss to coat evenly in the sauce. Cook for 30 seconds more.
6

Serve immediately over steamed rice, garnished with 4 sliced green onions.

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Questions

How hot should the oil be for Orange Chicken?

For Orange Chicken, the frying oil is held at 350 F (about 175 C) in step 3. Hotter scorches the outside before the inside cooks, and cooler turns it greasy. The target internal temperature is 165 F (about 75 C), given in step 3. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

Can I skip the searing in Orange Chicken?

Step 3 reads: "Working in batches, fry the coated chicken for 3-4 minutes per batch, turning once, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F." You can, but you give up flavor. The browning in step 3 builds the savory base the rest of the dish is seasoned against. Give the pieces room so the pan stays hot.

Is there a substitute for rice vinegar in Orange Chicken?

The entry for Orange Chicken calls for 2 tbsp rice vinegar. In its place: Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar, softened with a pinch of sugar, is close. Avoid plain distilled vinegar at full strength, which is much sharper.

Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs in Orange Chicken?

Yes, with care. Breasts dry out sooner: pull them at 165 F, which usually means a few minutes less than the thighs would take. As written, the entry for Orange Chicken uses 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-in pieces.

Does Orange Chicken contain sesame?

Yes: 1 tsp sesame oil. The full allergen list for this entry is gluten, eggs, soy and sesame. Seeds used as a garnish can simply be left off; the oil has no true substitute. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

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