Orange Chicken | I recently realized that my blog is NINE years old! Nine years is crazy! It made me go poking around in my archives and I came across this gem. This orange chicken post has been up on the blog for eight years. I had almost forgotten all about this orange chicken recipe. At one time, it was one of my more popular recipes. So, I decided I needed to make it again and give the post a facelift.
When I look back at old posts, it’s like reading my diary from middle school. The posts are awkward and don’t even get me started on the photos. It’s embarrassing, but I thought it would be fun to share how much things have changed.
Dang! I had forgotten how good this recipe is! One evening, I decided to make it when suddenly hit with a craving for orange chicken. One phone call could have had those restaurant takeout cartons on my table in a jiffy. But I wondered to myself if I could make it better at home.
Turns out I was right! This recipe seriously delivered! Ha ha Chinese food… delivered… get it? I’m a dork. And it more than satisfied my craving for orange chicken.
Even though the post was awkward and the photos were kind of hideous, the recipe was still spot on. The sauce is sweet, tangy, there is no lack of orange flavor, and the red pepper flakes give it just a touch of heat. If you like your orange chicken extra spicy, you can always add more red pepper flakes.
Orange chicken with a light crispy breading & a sweet and tangy sauce. There is no lack of orange flavor, & the red pepper flakes give it a touch of heat.
They’ll initially be coated in cornflour (cornstarch) to help the batter adhere to the chicken. The batter is made from a mixture of flour, egg, garlic salt, salt, pepper and water – which results in a lovely light batter.
What’s the difference between orange chicken and General Tso’s?
The chicken in both recipes is prepared the same way, first battered and then fried. The difference is in those delicious sauces. Both are sticky sauces that resemble a glaze and both are made with soy, rice vinegar, and a sweetener. But orange chicken is, of course, flavored with orange juice and zest, and General Tso’s is flavored with hoisin sauce.
How to Make Baked Orange Chicken
For a healthier alternative, you can forgo the deep fry technique and bake this chicken instead. After the breading process, simply preheat your oven to 375 °F and place the chicken on a foil-lined sheet pan fitted with a baking rack.
To avoid it drying out, spray the chicken generously with cooking spray and let it bake at 375 for 12 minutes. You can still achieve a super crispy texture by placing it under the broiler at the end for 2-4 minutes, watching carefully so the chicken doesn’t burn. Then flip the chicken and broil for about the same amount on the other side.
And voila! Crispy goodness that’s better for you. I need a large bowl of this pronto!
CRISPY TAKEOUT ORANGE CHICKEN (No Wok Required)
FAQ
What is the breading on fried chicken made of?
What is Chinese chicken breading made of?
What is Chinese orange chicken made of?
What is in Panda Express orange chicken?
What is orange chicken sauce made of?
The orange chicken sauce is made of orange juice and zest , brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, ginger. You can optionally add red chilies. To thicken the sauce, you’ll need cornstarch. Is Orange Chicken the same as Orange Peel Chicken? Yes, orange peel chicken is just another name for orange chicken.
How do you make orange chicken sauce?
There are lots of different recipes but the basic ingredient is orange juice, enhanced by sweetness (sugar, honey), tanginess (vinegar), and saltiness (soy sauce. Seasonings such as garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes add flavor and depth to the sauce which is thickened with cornstarch. Want lots of orange chicken? Double the recipe!
Is Orange Chicken Spicy?
Usually, orange chicken has a small amount of heat. Not as spicy as General Tso’s chicken, but there are some peppers in the sauce. When making this recipe, you can leave out the crushed red peppers to make it mild, or add sriracha to make it spicier. What is the sauce on orange chicken made of?
How do you cook orange chicken in the oven?
Make orange chicken in your oven. Spread the breaded chicken on a large, greased baking sheet. Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes, or until done. Then broil (watch very carefully) for another 2-3 minutes to brown the chicken. Prepare the the sauce in a skillet and add the baked chicken to coat in sauce.