1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Easy Orange Chicken

Sweet Orange Chicken

Featured in Sophisticated Dinners Ready in 45 Minutes or Less.

Quick Chinese-style orange chicken at home. Ready in 40 minutes, serves 8. Great for busy nights.
Pin it Share it Send it Print it Jump To Recipe
Sarah
Updated on Mon, 17 Mar 2025 18:55:17 GMT
Delicious Orange Chicken Pin it
Delicious Orange Chicken | chefmiarecipes.com

Turn your home into a Chinese food haven with this homemade orange chicken that's even better than Panda Express. You'll get super crunchy chicken chunks smothered in a sweet-zingy orange glaze that'll kick those takeout urges to the curb.

After trying countless versions, I found that nailing the frying method and getting the sauce just right makes all the difference for that authentic Chinese takeout feel.

Key Components

Quality chicken forms the foundation

Right breading delivers the crunch

Orange glaze ties everything together

Properly heated oil keeps things crispy

Just-right sauce thickness

Scallions bring color and zip

Easy Orange Chicken Recipe Pin it
Easy Orange Chicken Recipe | chefmiarecipes.com

Tasty Transformation Steps

Build that crunchy outer shell.

Get oil to the sweet spot temp.

Cook till perfectly golden.

Mix sweet with tangy notes.

Coat chicken pieces thoroughly.

Top with something fresh.

Easy Orange Chicken Pin it
Easy Orange Chicken | chefmiarecipes.com

Fantastic Pairing Options

Make your orange chicken feast complete by pairing it with:

  • Fluffy white rice
  • DIY fried rice
  • Crisp veggie stir-fry
  • Fun fortune cookies
  • Additional sauce for dipping

Cooking Alternatives

Tweak your cooking approach to fit what works for you:

  • Classic deep fry method
  • Air fryer technique
  • Quick Instant Pot approach
  • Healthier breading choices
  • Various sauce consistency options

Keeping It Fresh

Make your leftovers last by keeping the chicken and sauce in different sealed containers in your fridge. When it's time to eat again:

  • Pop chicken in the oven to restore crispness
  • Warm up sauce on its own
  • Mix them together right at serving time
  • Finish everything within 4 days

Expert Advice

Keep oil at the same heat throughout

Leave space between pieces when frying

Make sure sauce stays warm not scalding

Add toppings right before you eat

Check if sauce coats the back of a spoon

Orange Chicken Pin it
Orange Chicken | chefmiarecipes.com

I've gone from just wanting orange chicken to making the ultimate home version. Trust me, amazing Chinese-style food comes down to good technique and fresh stuff, giving you meals that'll make you forget about ordering in.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What kind of chicken works best?
Thigh meat is more tender, but you can use breasts.
→ What's the ideal frying oil?
Use vegetable oil for best results.
→ Deep fryer needed?
Nope, a skillet with 1/2 inch oil does the job.
→ Can I use an air fryer?
Sure! Cook the coated chicken for 25 minutes at 180°F.
→ How can I thicken the sauce?
Stir in more cornstarch slurry until it thickens up.

Easy Orange Chicken

Crunchy chicken tossed in a tangy-sweet orange glaze. A must-try homemade Chinese classic.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes

Category: Weeknight Elegance

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Asian

Yield: 8 Servings

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Chicken Crust

01 1/2 cup plain flour
02 1 cup corn flour
03 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
04 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
05 1 large egg, whisked
06 2 pounds chicken chunks, boneless

→ Spices and Oils

07 1/4 cup chopped green onions
08 1 teaspoon powdered ginger
09 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
10 2 cloves garlic, crushed
11 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
12 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons cooking oil
13 2 tablespoons soy sauce

→ Orange Sauce

14 1/4 cup water
15 1/3 cup white sugar
16 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
17 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
18 2 tablespoons cornflour
19 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
20 2 tablespoons vinegar, white
21 1/2 cup cold water for slurry

Instructions

Step 01

In one bowl, mix your cornstarch and flour. In another, beat egg with salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of oil. Coat chicken in egg first, then flour mix.

Step 02

Pour oil into a pan, about 1/2 inch deep, and heat. Crisp up the chicken until it’s nicely cooked through. Pull it out and leave just 2 tablespoons of oil in the pan.

Step 03

Throw in the garlic, ginger, chili, green onions with the soy and sesame oil. Cook until everything gets soft and smells awesome.

Step 04

Get everything except the cornstarch mixture into the pan and boil it. Add the slurry to thicken it up when ready.

Step 05

Coat the chicken in your warm, thick sauce. Dish it over rice and top with green onions.

Notes

  1. You can use breast or thigh cuts
  2. It’s great in an air fryer too
  3. Stick to veggie oil for the best results

Tools You'll Need

  • Big frying pan
  • Bowls for mixing
  • Measurement tools like cups and spoons
  • Optional thermometer

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Has soy in it
  • Eggs are included
  • Contains wheat flour

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~