Chinese Orange Chicken

Ingredients:

Preparation mode:

👉 Orange chicken is the Chinese-American takeaway favourite: crispy fried chicken pieces tossed in a sticky, sweet and tangy orange glaze with garlic and ginger. Using fresh orange juice and zest makes it much brighter than most restaurant versions.

🍳 How to Make Orange Chicken

1. Coat the chicken. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and toss in the beaten eggs. Mix the cornstarch and flour and coat each piece well.
2. Fry. Heat the oil to 175°C (350°F). Fry the chicken in batches for 5–6 minutes until golden and crisp. Drain on a rack.
3. Make the sauce. In a wok or pan simmer the orange juice, zest, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, garlic and ginger for 3 minutes.
4. Thicken. Stir in the cornstarch mixture and cook for 1 minute until glossy.
5. Toss. Add the fried chicken and toss quickly to coat.
6. Serve. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and spring onions and serve right away with steamed rice.

💡 Tips

• Fry twice (briefly again for 1 minute) for extra-crunchy chicken.
• Toss the chicken in the sauce just before serving so it stays crisp.

❓ FAQ

Is orange chicken really Chinese?
It was created in the United States, inspired by Hunan-style dishes with dried citrus peel.

Can I bake the chicken?
Yes – bake the coated pieces on an oiled tray at 220°C for 20 minutes, turning once.

👉 More Chinese recipes: browse all recipes.