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Crispy Orange Chicken

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A quick and easy homemade crispy orange chicken recipe with a perfectly balanced tangy and sweet sauce, better than takeout.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup (65 g) cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • Vegetable oil for frying (peanut or canola oil recommended)
  • 3/4 cup (180 ml) fresh orange juice
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry)
  • Zest of one orange (optional)
  • Sliced green onions (optional garnish)
  • Sesame seeds (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Rinse and pat dry the chicken pieces with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  2. In one bowl, beat the eggs. In another bowl, combine cornstarch, salt, and black pepper.
  3. Dip each chicken piece first into the beaten eggs, then dredge thoroughly in the cornstarch mixture. Set aside on a plate.
  4. Pour about 2 inches of vegetable oil into a deep frying pan or wok and heat over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C).
  5. Fry the chicken pieces in batches for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Remove with tongs or slotted spoon and drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
  6. While frying, combine orange juice, sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and orange zest in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
  7. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, about 2 minutes.
  8. Toss the fried chicken gently in the orange sauce until well coated.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before coating to prevent sogginess. Maintain oil temperature at 350°F for best crispiness. Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding. Make sauce separately to keep chicken crispy until serving. If sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water to loosen.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy orange chicken, homemade orange chicken, easy orange chicken recipe, Chinese takeout chicken, crispy chicken, orange sauce chicken

Find it online: https://grubella.com/crispy-orange-chicken-recipe-5-easy-steps-better-than-takeout/