I chase weeknight wins and this orange chicken recipe shows up like a hero. Crackly bites meet a glossy citrus glaze and the kitchen smells like takeout but better. We keep it easy and clean and the pan does the heavy lifting. healthy orange chicken recipe quick orange chicken recipe chinese orange chicken recipe instapot orange chicken recipe orange chicken recipe panda express orange chicken stir fry recipe
Table of Contents
- 1 Key Takeaways
- 2 Easy Orange Chicken Recipe
- 3 Ingredients for Orange Chicken
- 4 How to Make Orange Chicken
- 5 Tips for Making Orange Chicken
- 6 Making Orange Chicken Ahead of Time
- 7 Storing Leftover Orange Chicken
- 8 Try these Main Course next
- 9 Orange Chicken
- 10 Nutrition
1 Key Takeaways
We cook at home and we want bright flavor with little fuss. This orange chicken recipe brings crisp edges and a glossy sauce. The pan stays busy and we stay calm.
Heat meets sweet and the citrus lifts the whole plate. Rice waits nearby and dinner lands fast. Cleanup stays light and spirits stay high.
I write as Kathy for Simply Cooked Recipes and I cook this often. The link sits ready on our site at https://www.simplycookedrecipes.com for more ideas and swaps.
2 Easy Orange Chicken Recipe
I grab chicken and I cut small pieces. The starch grips and the egg binds. Oil warms and the sizzle starts. I say orange chicken recipe twice out loud for luck and the kitchen smiles.
The glaze comes from fresh juice and a bit of soy. A touch of honey rounds the edge. The sauce turns clear and thick and it hugs each bite.
We serve with rice or noodles and a few scallions. I hear plates clink and I know we nailed it. This quick orange chicken fits weeknights and lazy Sundays alike.
3 Ingredients for Orange Chicken
Chicken thighs I use boneless skinless pieces for juicy texture. Small cubes cook fast and stay tender.
Cornstarch This light coat makes crisp edges. It keeps the bite sharp once the sauce hits.
Egg One whisked egg helps the coating cling. It adds a thin shell that fries well.
Garlic powder and onion powder These bring steady base notes. The scent blooms in the hot pan.
Salt and black pepper Simple seasoning sets balance. I season in the bowl and taste again at the end.
Neutral oil I like avocado or canola. The smoke point stays high and the flavor stays mild.
Fresh orange Zest and juice drive the glaze. Bright oils from the zest lift every bite.
Soy sauce or tamari This adds depth and color. Use tamari if you need gluten free.
Rice vinegar A small splash tightens the sauce. The sweet meets a clean snap.
Honey or brown sugar Either brings round sweetness. I reach for honey when I want shine.
Fresh ginger and garlic Grated ginger wakes the tongue and minced garlic warms the nose. Small amounts go far.
Cornstarch for slurry A little mixed with juice thickens fast. Add in the pan and watch it clear.
4 How to Make Orange Chicken
Step one prep the chicken Pat dry and cut even pieces. Toss with cornstarch egg powders salt and pepper. The mix should look light and sticky.
Step two fry the chicken Heat oil in a wide skillet on medium high. Lay pieces in one layer. Cook to deep gold then turn and cook through.
Step three build the sauce Whisk zest juice soy rice vinegar honey cornstarch ginger and garlic. Pour into the hot skillet. Stir until the sauce turns glossy.
Step four coat and serve Return chicken to the pan and toss until every piece shines. Taste and adjust salt or sweetness. Serve with rice and a squeeze of fresh orange.
5 Tips for Making Orange Chicken
Dry chicken browns better. I blot with paper towels and the crust holds. Small pieces cook fast and stay tender.
Heat matters. A steady medium high makes crisp edges without smoke. If the pan looks crowded I cook in two rounds.
Balance the glaze. Taste for salt and sweet. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want spark. For a best orange chicken recipe feel use fresh zest every time.
6 Making Orange Chicken Ahead of Time
I batch fry chicken and chill on a rack. The coating stays set and reheats well. Sauce waits in a jar in the fridge.
When dinner calls I warm the chicken in a hot skillet then I pour the sauce and toss to coat. The texture lands close to fresh. Steam rice in the meantime.
For an easy orange chicken recipe plan I label both parts. Day two tastes even brighter. A quick squeeze of orange right before serving lifts the dish.
7 Storing Leftover Orange Chicken
Leftovers rest in a sealed container. Two to three days works well. I keep rice in a second box.
Reheat in a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water if the sauce looks tight. Toss until the glaze loosens and shines.
This helps a homemade orange chicken recipe hold texture. The edges wake up and the sauce smooths out. Lunch wins again.
8 Try these Main Course next
9 Orange Chicken
Orange Chicken Recipe Crispy Bright And Ready Fast
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite size pieces
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 large egg lightly whisked
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 half teaspoon salt
- 1 half teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil for pan frying
For the Sauce
- 1 orange zest and three fourths cup juice
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon water to loosen if needed
For Serving
- Cooked rice or noodles
- Thin scallions
- Sesame seeds
- Orange wedges
Instructions
Prep the Chicken
- Pat the chicken dry then toss with cornstarch flour garlic powder onion powder salt and pepper
- Drizzle in the egg and stir until the pieces look coated and a little sticky
Pan Fry
- Heat oil in a wide skillet over medium high
- Spread the chicken in one layer and cook until golden then flip and cook the second side until done about 6 to 8 minutes total
- Move the chicken to a plate and keep the pan on the heat
Make the Sauce
- Whisk orange zest and juice soy sauce rice vinegar honey cornstarch ginger and garlic in a bowl
- Pour into the hot pan and stir until the sauce looks glossy and thick about 1 to 2 minutes
- If it gets too thick splash in water
Finish
- Return the chicken to the pan and toss until every piece gets a shiny coat
- Taste and nudge the salt or sweetness as you like
- Serve over rice with scallions sesame and a squeeze of fresh orange
10 Nutrition
One serving brings solid protein and a smart mix of carbs and fat. Citrus gives vitamin C and the sauce stays light. Pair with steamed veg for a full plate.
We keep sodium in check by using low sodium soy. Honey sweetens with a gentle hand. The dish fits a quick orange chicken target for weeknights.
If you track numbers this guide helps. About five hundred calories per serving with balanced macros. Actual counts shift with brand and portion size.
Article by Kathy for Simply Cooked Recipes at https://www.simplycookedrecipes.com where home cooks learn fast methods that still taste bright. This orange chicken recipe brings the takeout mood home with a friendly plan and a clean list.
Keyword set used once each healthy orange chicken quick orange chicken Chinese orange chicken instapot orange chicken recipe orange chicken recipe panda express orange chicken stir fry recipe. Main phrase appears four times across the page.
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