Easy Orange Chicken

Introduction

Easy Orange Chicken is a flavorful and crispy dish that blends the savory taste of chicken with the sweet and tangy flavors of a homemade orange sauce. This popular Chinese-inspired dish is a hit with its crispy texture on the outside and a delightful citrusy kick on the inside. Whether you’re cooking for your family, hosting a dinner party, or just craving a hearty meal, Easy Orange Chicken is sure to satisfy everyone’s appetite.

This recipe delivers the authentic taste of restaurant-style orange chicken, but it’s made in your very own kitchen, and best of all, it’s halal-friendly with no pork, bacon, or alcohol involved. The zesty, sweet orange sauce combined with perfectly seasoned and crisp chicken pieces will make this dish your new go-to weeknight meal.

Perfect for:

• Family dinners
• Weeknight meals
• Hosting dinner parties
• Chinese-inspired meals
• Fans of citrusy chicken dishes

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here’s why Easy Orange Chicken will become a family favorite:

• Deliciously Tangy Sauce: The homemade orange sauce balances sweetness and tanginess, giving the chicken an irresistible coating.
• Crispy, Tender Chicken: The chicken is coated in a simple batter that fries up crispy and golden, offering a perfect contrast to the tangy sauce.
• Halal-Friendly: This recipe is completely halal, made with chicken and no pork, bacon, or alcohol, ensuring it fits within halal dietary guidelines.
• Easy and Quick: With minimal ingredients and preparation time, you’ll have a flavorful dinner ready in under 30 minutes.
• Customizable: You can adjust the sweetness or tanginess of the sauce to your liking, or add extra heat by including chili flakes or hot sauce.

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Preparation Time: 10 minutes
• Cooking Time: 35 minutes
• Servings: 4 servings
• Calories per Serving: Approximately 400-450 calories
• Key Nutrients: Protein: 30g, Carbs: 40g, Fat: 20g

Ingredients

To make this delicious Easy Orange Chicken, you’ll need the following ingredients:

For the Chicken:

• 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 1 egg, beaten
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 cup vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Orange Sauce:

• 1 cup fresh orange juice (about 2-3 medium oranges)
• ¼ cup soy sauce (ensure it’s halal-certified)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
• 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil (optional)
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
• 2-3 green onions, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Ingredient Highlights

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs work best for this dish. Chicken thighs provide extra juiciness, while chicken breasts create a lighter texture.
• Cornstarch: Cornstarch helps create a crispy, light batter that fries up perfectly.
• Fresh Orange Juice: Fresh orange juice adds the vibrant, citrusy flavor that makes this dish stand out. It also helps create a smooth and tangy sauce.
• Soy Sauce: The soy sauce gives the orange sauce a savory base and adds depth to the flavor. Choose halal-certified soy sauce to ensure the dish is compliant with dietary restrictions.
• Honey: The honey enhances the sweetness of the sauce and provides a touch of natural sweetness to balance the tanginess from the orange juice.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these easy steps to prepare your homemade Easy Orange Chicken:

Prepare the Chicken:

1. Prepare the Chicken Pieces: Start by cutting the chicken into bite-sized chunks. Pat them dry with a paper towel to ensure the batter sticks well.
2. Make the Coating: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
3. Dip the Chicken in Egg: Dip each piece of chicken into the beaten egg, allowing any excess egg to drip off before coating it in the flour mixture. Ensure each piece is evenly coated.
4. Fry the Chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a deep pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot (about 350°F or 175°C), fry the chicken in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 4-5 minutes per batch, or until golden brown and crispy. Remove the chicken and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Prepare the Orange Sauce:

5. Combine the Sauce Ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine the fresh orange juice, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, orange zest, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil (if using). Stir well to combine.
6. Simmer the Sauce: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat. Allow it to simmer for 3-5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
7. Thicken the Sauce: Mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then slowly pour it into the simmering sauce. Stir constantly as the sauce thickens, which should take about 1-2 minutes.
8. Adjust the Flavor: Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness or tanginess to your preference by adding more honey for sweetness or more vinegar for tanginess.

Combine the Chicken with Sauce:

9. Toss the Chicken in the Sauce: Once the chicken is fried and the sauce has thickened, pour the sauce over the crispy chicken in a large bowl. Toss gently until the chicken is well-coated with the orange sauce.
10. Garnish and Serve: Garnish the orange chicken with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired. Serve immediately over steamed rice or alongside vegetables.

How to Serve Easy Orange Chicken

Easy Orange Chicken can be served in several delicious ways:

• With Steamed Rice: Serve the orange chicken over a bed of fluffy steamed jasmine or white rice to soak up the delicious sauce.
• With Stir-Fried Vegetables: Pair the chicken with stir-fried vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, or snap peas for a healthy and colorful meal.
• With Noodles: For a twist, serve the chicken with noodles, such as soba or rice noodles, for a satisfying and flavorful dish.
• As a Sandwich or Wrap: Use the crispy orange chicken as a filling for wraps or sandwiches, adding a few fresh vegetables and a drizzle of the orange sauce.

Additional Tips for Easy Orange Chicken

Here are some helpful tips to make your Easy Orange Chicken even better:

• Double Coat the Chicken: For an extra crispy chicken, try double-coating the pieces. Dip the chicken in the egg and flour mixture twice to get an even crunchier texture.
• Avoid Overcrowding the Pan: Fry the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can cause the chicken to become soggy instead of crispy.
• Use Fresh Orange Juice: Freshly squeezed orange juice makes a big difference in the flavor of the sauce. It adds a vibrant, tangy taste that bottled juice can’t match.
• Customize the Sauce: Adjust the sweetness and tanginess of the sauce according to your personal preference. If you like it sweeter, add more honey. If you prefer it tangier, add extra rice vinegar or orange juice.
• Add Spice: For a little heat, toss in some red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the orange sauce to give it a spicy kick.

Recipe Variations of Easy Orange Chicken

Here are a few variations of Easy Orange Chicken that you can try:

• Crispy Orange Tofu: Swap the chicken for crispy tofu to create a vegetarian version of this dish. Coat the tofu in the same batter and follow the recipe as usual.
• Orange Chicken with Cashews: Add roasted cashews to the orange chicken for extra crunch and a nutty flavor that complements the citrus sauce.
• Spicy Orange Chicken: For a spicy twist, add chili flakes or sriracha to the orange sauce to turn up the heat.
• Grilled Orange Chicken: If you prefer grilled chicken, marinate the chicken in the orange sauce before grilling it and serve with a drizzle of the sauce over the top.
• Coconut Orange Chicken: Add shredded coconut to the batter for a tropical twist, giving your orange chicken a rich, coconut flavor.

Freezing and Storage for Easy Orange Chicken

• Freezing: To freeze Easy Orange Chicken, allow the cooked chicken to cool completely. Then, store the chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers. The chicken can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, bake the chicken in the oven to regain its crispiness and warm the sauce on the stovetop.
• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the chicken in the oven or stovetop to keep the texture crisp.

Special Equipment for Easy Orange Chicken

Here are some special equipment items you might need to make Easy Orange Chicken:

• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements for the sauce ingredients will ensure the right balance of flavors.
• Whisk and Spatula: A whisk is helpful for combining the sauce ingredients, and a spatula is great for tossing the chicken with the sauce.
• Tongs: Use tongs to carefully fry the chicken pieces and ensure they cook evenly without splattering.
• Paper Towels: Paper towels are essential for draining the excess oil after frying the chicken, keeping it crispy.

FAQ Section about Easy Orange Chicken

1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
   Yes, chicken thighs work well for this recipe and will provide a juicier texture. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time slightly if needed.
2. Is there a substitute for rice vinegar?
   Yes, you can substitute rice vinegar with apple cider vinegar or white vinegar, though the flavor may vary slightly.
3. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
   Yes, you can prepare the sauce and chicken ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, fry the chicken and toss it with the sauce.
4. Can I make this dish gluten-free?
   Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch for the batter.
5. How can I make the sauce thicker?
   If you want a thicker sauce, add more cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon of water) until the desired consistency is reached.

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Conclusion

Easy Orange Chicken is a satisfying, flavorful, and halal-friendly dish that brings together crispy chicken and a tangy, sweet orange sauce. It’s a perfect choice for dinner or a special occasion, and its simplicity makes it easy to prepare in no time. Whether you’re a fan of citrusy flavors or just looking for a fun new recipe to try, this Easy Orange Chicken will quickly become a favorite in your recipe repertoire. Enjoy it with steamed rice, veggies, or noodles for a complete meal that everyone will love!