Description
This Homemade Orange Chicken recipe features tender, crispy chicken thighs coated in a flavorful orange-infused sauce. It’s a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors with a hint of spice, making it an irresistible dish for any dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
Orange Sauce
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons grated orange zest
- 1 tablespoon chopped green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat the Skillet: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium heat and add vegetable oil to coat the bottom. This will be used to fry the chicken pieces.
- Prepare Chicken: Cut the boneless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and set them aside for coating.
- Make Flour Mixture: In a shallow dish, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground ginger to create the dry coating mix.
- Prepare Egg Wash: Crack the egg into a separate bowl and whisk it together with water until smooth to form the wet coating mix.
- Coat Chicken Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, ensuring it is fully coated and then roll it in the flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure a thick coating around each piece.
- Fry Chicken: Once all the chicken pieces are coated, carefully add them to the heated skillet in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through, turning occasionally for even cooking.
- Drain Chicken: Remove the fried chicken from the skillet and place on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Prepare Orange Sauce: In a separate saucepan, combine orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, brown sugar, and cornstarch. Stir mixture over medium heat until the sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
- Finish Sauce: Stir in red pepper flakes and sesame oil, then cook for an additional minute. Add grated orange zest and stir well to combine all flavors.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet, pouring the thickened sauce over them. Toss to coat the chicken evenly with the sauce.
- Simmer: Cook the coated chicken for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing it to absorb the flavors well.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot for a delicious homemade orange chicken experience.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can double-dip the chicken by dipping in the egg mixture and flour twice before frying.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
- Use fresh orange juice and zest for the most vibrant flavor.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, add a little more cornstarch dissolved in water.
- Ensure the oil is hot before frying to prevent the chicken from getting greasy.
