Homemade Orange Chicken Recipe 🍊🍗 🍳
Indulge in the sweet and tangy flavors of homemade orange chicken with this easy-to-follow recipe. Tender chicken pieces are coated in a sticky orange sauce, creating a delicious dish that rivals your favorite takeout. Here's how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, for frying
For the Orange Sauce:
- 1/2 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed or store-bought)
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- Sesame seeds and sliced green onions for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Coat the Chicken: In a shallow dish, mix together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, and black pepper. Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour mixture until evenly coated, shaking off any excess.
2. Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the coated chicken pieces to the hot oil and fry until golden brown and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.
3. Make the Orange Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
4. Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Gradually pour the slurry into the simmering sauce, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Remove the sauce from heat.
5. Combine Chicken and Sauce: Add the fried chicken pieces to the pan with the orange sauce, tossing gently to coat each piece evenly.
6. Serve: Transfer the orange chicken to a serving dish and garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, if desired. Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.
Enjoy the irresistible flavors of homemade orange chicken, made with fresh ingredients and love! 🍊🍗
