Orange Chicken is a beloved Chinese-American classic—crispy, golden chicken bites tossed in a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy orange sauce. While takeout versions can be greasy or overly sweet, this homemade recipe delivers the perfect balance of fresh orange flavor, savory depth, and just the right amount of heat.
The chicken is double-coated for extra crispiness and fried until golden, then tossed in a luscious sauce made with fresh orange juice, zest, garlic, ginger, and a touch of red pepper flakes. Ready in under 40 minutes, it's faster than delivery and far more delicious. Serve it over steamed rice for a complete meal that the whole family will love.
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken
Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper. In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs. In another bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, flour, and baking powder (if using).
Coat the Chicken
Dip each chicken piece into the beaten egg, then dredge in the flour mixture, pressing to coat evenly. Place on a wire rack or plate. Let the coated chicken rest for 10 minutes to allow the coating to set.
Fry the Chicken
In a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat 2 to 3 inches of oil to 350°F (175°C). Working in batches, carefully add the chicken pieces. Fry for 4 to 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
Make the Orange Sauce
In a medium saucepan, combine the orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Whisk in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens. Stir in the sesame oil. Remove from heat.
Toss the Chicken
Place the fried chicken in a large bowl. Pour the orange sauce over the chicken and toss gently to coat evenly.
Serve
Transfer to a serving platter or bowl. Garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and orange slices. Serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice.
This Orange Chicken is a homemade takeout favorite that's crispy, tangy, sweet, and utterly irresistible.
