Best Crispy Orange Chicken Recipe

This Crispy Orange Chicken is a classic dish made with crispy fried chicken pieces tossed in a tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy orange sauce. It’s a homemade version of the popular takeout dish, and it’s sure to become a favorite in your home. The crunchy chicken combined with the citrusy sauce creates the perfect balance of flavor that everyone will love!

The crispy, golden chicken bites are perfectly coated in a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy orange sauce. The sauce has just the right balance of citrus, sweetness, and a little heat. When tossed together, you get the perfect combination of crispy, juicy, and flavorful bites.

Tools to Use:

Large bowl (for marinating and coating the chicken)
Shallow dish (for the flour mixture)
Large frying pan or deep fryer
Tongs or slotted spoon
Small saucepan (for the sauce)
Paper towels (for draining the fried chicken)

Ingredients:

For the Chicken:

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup buttermilk (or regular milk)
1 egg
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
½ teaspoon baking powder (optional for extra crispiness)
Vegetable oil for frying

For the Orange Sauce:

1 cup fresh orange juice (about 2-3 oranges)
½ cup sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1 teaspoon chili paste or sriracha (optional, for heat)
1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
Zest of one orange (optional for extra citrus flavor)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken:

In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk (or regular milk), egg, garlic powder, onion powder, ground ginger, salt, and pepper.
Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, and let them sit for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours in the fridge for more flavor).

2. Coat the Chicken:

In a shallow dish, mix the flour, cornstarch, baking powder (optional), and a pinch of salt.
Once the chicken has marinated, remove it from the buttermilk mixture and coat the chicken pieces evenly in the flour mixture. Press gently to make sure the chicken is well-coated. Shake off any excess flour.

3. Fry the Chicken:

Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat, or use a deep fryer if you have one.
Once the oil is hot (around 350°F or 175°C), fry the chicken pieces in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 4-5 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and crispy. Remove the chicken from the oil and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

4. Make the Orange Sauce:

In a small saucepan, combine the fresh orange juice, sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, grated ginger, garlic, and chili paste or sriracha (if using). Stir everything together and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
Let the sauce simmer for about 4-5 minutes until it begins to thicken slightly.
In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Gradually add this to the sauce while stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. If you like more heat, you can add more chili paste or sriracha.

5. Combine the Chicken and Sauce:

Once the chicken is fried and the sauce is ready, add the crispy chicken pieces to a large bowl.
Pour the orange sauce over the chicken and toss to coat evenly. If you like, you can garnish with orange zest or sesame seeds for added flavor and texture.

6. Serve:

Serve the crispy orange chicken over steamed white rice, or alongside some stir-fried vegetables. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or as part of a larger spread for a special occasion.

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Best Crispy Orange Chicken Recipe

This Crispy Orange Chicken is a classic dish made with crispy fried chicken pieces tossed in a tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy orange sauce. It’s a homemade version of the popular takeout dish, and it’s sure to become a favorite in your home. The crunchy chicken combined with the citrusy sauce creates the perfect balance of flavor that everyone will love!

Equipment

Large bowl (for marinating and coating the chicken)
Shallow dish (for the flour mixture)
Large frying pan or deep fryer
Tongs or slotted spoon
Small saucepan (for the sauce)
Paper towels (for draining the fried chicken)

Ingredients

For the Chicken:
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup buttermilk or regular milk
1 egg
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
½ teaspoon baking powder optional for extra crispiness
Vegetable oil for frying
For the Orange Sauce:
1 cup fresh orange juice about 2-3 oranges
½ cup sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar or white vinegar
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water for thickening
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 tablespoon garlic minced
1 teaspoon chili paste or sriracha optional, for heat
1 teaspoon sesame oil optional
Zest of one orange optional for extra citrus flavor

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken:
In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk (or regular milk), egg, garlic powder, onion powder, ground ginger, salt, and pepper.
Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, and let them sit for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours in the fridge for more flavor).
Coat the Chicken:
In a shallow dish, mix the flour, cornstarch, baking powder (optional), and a pinch of salt.
Once the chicken has marinated, remove it from the buttermilk mixture and coat the chicken pieces evenly in the flour mixture. Press gently to make sure the chicken is well-coated. Shake off any excess flour.
Fry the Chicken:
Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat, or use a deep fryer if you have one.
Once the oil is hot (around 350°F or 175°C), fry the chicken pieces in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 4-5 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and crispy. Remove the chicken from the oil and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
Make the Orange Sauce:
In a small saucepan, combine the fresh orange juice, sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, grated ginger, garlic, and chili paste or sriracha (if using). Stir everything together and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
Let the sauce simmer for about 4-5 minutes until it begins to thicken slightly.
In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Gradually add this to the sauce while stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. If you like more heat, you can add more chili paste or sriracha.
Combine the Chicken and Sauce:
Once the chicken is fried and the sauce is ready, add the crispy chicken pieces to a large bowl.
Pour the orange sauce over the chicken and toss to coat evenly. If you like, you can garnish with orange zest or sesame seeds for added flavor and texture.
Serve:
Serve the crispy orange chicken over steamed white rice, or alongside some stir-fried vegetables. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or as part of a larger spread for a special occasion.

Tips for Cooking:

Double-Dip for Extra Crispiness: For an even crunchier coating, you can double-dip the chicken. After coating the chicken in the flour mixture, dip it back in the buttermilk and coat it in the flour again before frying.
Adjust the Sauce: You can easily customize the sweetness or spice level of the sauce by adjusting the sugar or chili paste. If you prefer a milder sauce, reduce the chili paste or omit it altogether.
Fry in Batches: Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying the chicken. Frying in batches ensures that each piece gets crispy and golden brown.

Why You Should Try This Recipe:

This Crispy Orange Chicken is an irresistible combination of crunch, tangy sweetness, and a little bit of spice. It’s a perfect dish for those who love the flavor of orange chicken from takeout but want to make it at home with fresh ingredients. The crispy chicken is coated in a luscious orange sauce that’s perfectly balanced and will have everyone asking for seconds.

Enjoy the crispy, tangy, and sweet perfection of Crispy Orange Chicken – a dish that’s sure to impress your family and friends. Whether you’re craving takeout-style food or just want to try something new in the kitchen, this recipe brings all the flavors together in one delicious meal.