Orange Chicken is one of the most popular Chinese dishes abroad. The chicken is deep-fried until crispy and tender, then coated in a rich, sweet and tangy orange sauce. It’s glossy and appetizing, and pairs perfectly with steamed rice.
Prep time: 20 minutes | Cook time: 15 minutes | Serves: 3–4
🌴 Ingredients:
· Chicken thigh meat, 400g (about 14 oz; boneless, cut into 1-inch / 2.5cm chunks)
· Egg, 1 (about 50g; beaten, for the batter)
· Orange, 1 (about 150g; for zest and juice)
· Toasted white sesame seeds, a small pinch (about 2g; for garnish)
· Scallion, 1 (about 15g; chopped, for garnish)
🌴 Aromatics:
· Minced garlic, 3–4 cloves (about 15g)
· Minced ginger, a small piece (about 5g)
· Dried red chilies, 3–5 (about 5g; cut into segments, optional)
🌴 Seasonings:
· Light soy sauce, 2 tbsp (about 30ml)
· Dark soy sauce, ½ tbsp (about 7.5ml; for color)
· White vinegar, 1 tbsp (about 15ml)
· Sugar, 2 tbsp (about 24g; key for the sweet taste)
· Ketchup, 1 tbsp (about 15g)
· Cornstarch, 3 tbsp (about 30g; for coating)
· All-purpose flour, 1 tbsp (about 10g; for coating)
· Cooking wine, 1 tbsp (about 15ml; for marinating)
· White pepper powder, a pinch (about 0.5g)
· Salt, about 2–3g, to taste
· Cooking oil, as needed (for frying)
All spoon measures are level. Light soy sauce is thin and salty—use it as listed for the best flavor.
🌴 Instructions:
- Marinate the Chicken
Cut the chicken thigh into evenly sized chunks. Marinate with cooking wine, salt, and white pepper for 15 minutes. ⚠️ Tip: This removes the odor and adds flavor. I’ve tried frying without marinating, and the inside tasted bland. - Coat the Chicken
In a bowl, mix the cornstarch, flour, and beaten egg with a little water to make a thick batter. Coat the chicken evenly. ⚠️ Tip: The batter should be thick enough to stick to the meat and not drip off. - Fry the Chicken
Heat oil to 160°C (about 320°F, or 60% hot). Fry the coated chicken over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain on a wire rack or paper towels. ⚠️ Tip: Don’t use high heat, or they will burn outside and stay raw inside. - Double-fry (Optional)
Heat the oil to 180°C (about 350°F) and fry the chicken for another 20–30 seconds. ⚠️ Tip: This makes them extra crispy and keeps them from getting soggy when coated in sauce. - Make the Orange Sauce
In a small bowl, mix the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, ketchup, a pinch of salt, the juice of 1 orange, and a little orange zest. ⚠️ Tip: Don’t skip the zest! I’ve tried using only juice, and it lacked that fresh citrus aroma. - Cook the Sauce
Add the dried chilies, minced garlic, and ginger to a pan with a little oil and stir-fry over low heat until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Pour in the sauce and cook over medium heat until it bubbles and thickens (about 2–3 minutes). ⚠️ Tip: Stir constantly to prevent burning. Turn off the heat or move the pan off the burner once the sauce coats the back of a spoon. - Combine and Serve
Turn the heat to high (or keep it off and use residual heat), add the fried chicken, and stir-fry quickly to coat each piece with the sauce. ⚠️ Tip: Be quick to keep the coating crispy. If the sauce is too hot, it will make the batter soggy instantly. - Garnish and Serve
Turn off the heat and plate the dish. Sprinkle with toasted white sesame seeds and chopped scallion. Serve hot. ⚠️ Tip: Add the garnishes at the very end for the best look and flavor.
💡 Tips:
Use chicken thigh for extra tenderness. Make a thick batter. Fry over medium heat, then double-fry for crispiness. Don’t skip the orange zest. Once the sauce is thick, turn off the heat before adding the fried chicken—this prevents the hot sauce from making the crispy coating soggy. Be quick when tossing with the sauce, and garnish with sesame seeds and scallions before serving.
If you enjoy this sweet and tangy Orange Chicken, you should also try my previously posted General Tso’s Chicken (General Tso’s Chicken) for another incredibly popular and crispy dish. Want to explore more? Check out my full Main Dishes (Main Dishes) category!
❤️ Click the homepage for more delicious recipes!