This Zesty Chinese Orange Chicken is a delicious, quick, and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. With a tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy orange sauce, it’s a great way to enjoy takeout-style chicken at home!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp ginger, grated
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- Green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Directions:
- Make the Orange Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the orange juice, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes. Set aside.
- Prepare the Cornstarch Slurry: In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Set this aside as well.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Make sure the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
- Add the Orange Sauce: Pour the prepared orange sauce over the chicken in the skillet. Stir to coat the chicken evenly.
- Thicken the Sauce: Add the cornstarch slurry to the skillet and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken nicely, about 2-3 minutes.
- Serve: Serve the zesty orange chicken over steamed rice, and garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for a perfect finish.
Prep Time:
- 10 minutes
Cooking Time:
- 15 minutes
Total Time:
- 25 minutes
Servings:
- 4 servings
Tips:
- Spice Level: If you prefer a milder dish, you can reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.
- Rice Pairing: Serve with steamed white rice, jasmine rice, or brown rice for a complete meal.
- For Extra Crispy Chicken: For a crispy version, coat the chicken pieces in cornstarch or flour and shallow fry before making the sauce.
Conclusion:
This Zesty Chinese Orange Chicken offers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors with crispy chicken in a savory sauce. It’s a satisfying dish that will definitely become a favorite in your household!
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Zesty Chinese Orange Chicken
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A sweet and tangy twist on a classic, this Chinese Orange Chicken is bursting with citrus flavor. Tender chicken coated in a rich orange sauce with a touch of heat from red pepper flakes – the perfect weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp ginger, grated
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- Green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
- In a separate bowl, combine cornstarch and water to make a slurry.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add chicken pieces.
- Cook until chicken is browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.
- Pour in the orange sauce and stir to coat the chicken evenly.
- Add the cornstarch slurry and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Serve over rice and garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
For an added crunch, you can serve this dish with fried rice or steamed vegetables on the side. Adjust the red pepper flakes based on your desired spice level.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes