Name: Homemade Orange Chicken
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: Half cup all-purpose flour; One cup cornstarch; Half teaspoon white pepper; Big egg, one; One and a half teaspoons kosher salt; Two pounds boneless chicken, chopped up; Two tablespoons soy sauce; Half teaspoon sesame oil; Quarter cup green onion, chopped up; Quarter teaspoon crushed red pepper; Two cloves garlic, smashed; Teaspoon ground ginger; Two cups and two tablespoons veggie oil; Half cup cold water; Two tablespoons cornstarch; Two tablespoons white vinegar; Half cup orange juice; One-third cup granulated sugar; One-third cup light brown sugar; Quarter cup water; Quarter cup soy sauce

Orange Chicken Dinner | cookwithcarla.com

Bring some Chinese takeout vibes home with this Panda Express-style orange chicken. You get crunchy bites of chicken with a zingy-sweet orange glaze that'll crush your cravings just as fast as delivery.

Lots of trial runs taught me that getting your frying game and sauce blend spot on is the key to making it feel like the real deal.

Unforgettable Must-Haves

Grab quality chicken for the ultimate base

Nail the breading for that crunch

Orange sauce brings everything together

Keep your oil nice and hot for crunch

Get the sauce just the right thickness

Sliced green onion lifts the whole thing

Easy Orange Chicken Recipe | cookwithcarla.com

Making Chicken Awesome

Put on that thin, crispy coating first.

Make sure oil is at the right temperature.

Let the chicken turn golden and crunchy.

Mix up that sweet and tangy sauce.

Drench chicken pieces with the glaze.

Sprinkle on something fresh right at the end.

Tasty Serving Tips

Make this orange chicken shine even more by pairing it up with:

Extra sauce for dipping
Stir-fried veggies, fresh out the pan
Some fried rice you whip up at home
Fun fortune cookies on the side
Plain steamed rice for soaking up sauce

Fun Ways to Make It

Tweak your cooking style however you want:

Switch up the sauce thickness
Lighten it with less breading
Go classic with deep-frying
Try the Instant Pot for a twist
Air fry if that's your thing

Winning Storage Tricks

If you have leftovers, just keep the chicken and sauce in different containers with tight lids in your fridge. When you’re ready to eat again:

Reheat chicken in the oven to get it crispy again
Warm the sauce on its own
Toss together right before serving
Use within four days, max

Insider Advice

Keep that oil at the right temp every time

Give chicken pieces space in the pan

Let your sauce stay warm but not boiling hot

Wait until serving to top with garnish

Check the sauce's thickness before pouring on

My obsession for orange chicken took me from simple cravings to whipping up my favorite homemade batch. Just keep in mind—great dishes like this come from using good stuff and the right moves, and that’s what'll give you results that might even beat your favorite spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Which chicken cut is best?: Breast works, but thighs stay nice and juicy.
→ What kind of oil should I use?: Go for veggie oil, it’s simple and works great.
→ Do I need a deep fryer?: Nope, a regular frying pan with half an inch of oil takes care of it.
→ How about air frying?: Stick coated pieces in at 180°F for around 25 minutes.
→ How can I thicken the sauce?: Mix in more cornstarch with water if you want it stickier.

Homemade Orange Chicken

Crispy chicken tossed in zesty orange sauce. Makes your favorite Chinese dish right at home.

Prep Time

20 Minutes

Cook Time

20 Minutes

Total Time

40 Minutes

By: Carla Rodriguez

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Asian

Yield: 8 Servings

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Chicken Coating

01 Half cup all-purpose flour

02 One cup cornstarch

03 Half teaspoon white pepper

04 Big egg, one

05 One and a half teaspoons kosher salt

06 Two pounds boneless chicken, chopped up

→ Aromatics

07 Two tablespoons soy sauce

08 Half teaspoon sesame oil

09 Quarter cup green onion, chopped up

10 Quarter teaspoon crushed red pepper

11 Two cloves garlic, smashed

12 Teaspoon ground ginger

13 Two cups and two tablespoons veggie oil

→ Orange Glaze

14 Half cup cold water

15 Two tablespoons cornstarch

16 Two tablespoons white vinegar

17 Half cup orange juice

18 One-third cup granulated sugar

19 One-third cup light brown sugar

20 Quarter cup water

21 Quarter cup soy sauce

Instructions

Step 01

Toss chicken in the egg mix with salt, pepper, and a splash of oil. Then roll each piece through the flour and cornstarch blend right after.

Step 02

Fill your skillet with oil up to half an inch. Drop in the chicken, fry till it's golden and cooked. Pull out the chicken, pour off oil but leave about two tablespoons for later.

Step 03

Let ginger and garlic sizzle in the leftover oil. Quickly toss in peppers, green onions, soy sauce, and that touch of sesame oil. Keep them moving until everything smells great.

Step 04

Stir in everything for the sauce but not the cornstarch mix yet. Let it bubble, then whisk in the cornstarch with cold water to thicken it up fast.

Step 05

Coat the chicken in the warm glaze. Heap it over rice if you want and throw some green onions on top.

Notes

Thigh or breast meat both work

Air fryer makes this easy too

Vegetable oil is your best bet

Tools You'll Need

Thermometer if you want

Measuring cups and spoons

Mixing bowls

Big pan

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.

Has eggs
Has wheat
Has soy

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: ~