Easy Orange Chicken Recipe

Ever tasted chicken that’s sweet, sticky, and so yummy you can’t stop eating? Well, I’ve made something that’s exactly like that. Let me tell you about my easy orange chicken recipe.

This orange chicken is simple to cook and ready super fast. And guess what? You only need a few things to make it!

My family asks me to make this all the time because it tastes so good. Even picky eaters love it. You’ll feel like a cooking star!

Want to try cooking it yourself? Follow along with me. Let’s make yummy orange chicken right now!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Family Favorite: Readers often say this orange chicken is better than takeout. Kids and adults both enjoy it.
• Perfect Texture: The chicken is crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside, giving you the perfect bite every time.
• Easy Ingredients: You can find all ingredients at any grocery store.
• Quick and Simple: Ready in less than one hour, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
• Great Leftovers: Stays tasty and reheats easily, ideal for meal prepping and busy days.

What You Need to Know Before You Start

Prep Time & Cook Time:

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes

Servings:
This recipe makes enough orange chicken for about 4 people. You can easily double the ingredients to serve more guests.

Difficulty:
Very easy. Perfect for beginners or anyone who wants a tasty meal without stress.

Required Kitchen Tools

Before we get cooking, you’ll need these simple kitchen tools:

Plate lined with paper towels: To drain excess oil after frying.

Medium bowl: To mix batter and sauce ingredients.

Whisk: For making smooth batters and sauces without lumps.

Deep frying pan or skillet: To fry chicken pieces evenly.

Slotted spoon or tongs: To safely remove chicken pieces from hot oil.

Small saucepan: To make the tasty orange sauce.

Ingredients for Easy Orange Chicken Recipe

This delicious dish uses simple ingredients you might already have in your kitchen. Here’s exactly what you’ll need:

For the Crispy Chicken:

• Chicken Thighs (1 lb):
  Cut into small, 1-inch pieces. Chicken thighs stay juicy and flavorful even after frying.
• All-Purpose Flour (½ cup):
  Helps make the outside of the chicken crispy.
• Cornstarch (¼ cup):
  Gives the chicken an extra crunchy crust.
• Egg (1 large):
  Binds the batter, helping it stick nicely to the chicken.
• Cold Water (½ cup):
  Mixes with the flour and cornstarch to create a light, airy batter.
• Salt and Pepper:
  Just a little for seasoning, making sure the chicken tastes good on its own.
• Vegetable Oil:
  Enough to cover the chicken halfway when frying, about 1½ to 2 cups, depending on your pan.

For the Orange Sauce:

• Fresh Orange Juice (1 cup):
  Use fresh oranges if you can. They give the sauce bright flavor.
• Rice Vinegar (¼ cup):
  Adds tanginess that balances the sweetness of the sauce.
• Sugar (½ cup):
  Sweetens the sauce, making it just like your favorite takeout.
• Soy Sauce (2 tablespoons):
  Brings salty depth to the sauce, adding savory flavor.
• Sesame Oil (1 tablespoon):
  Gives the sauce a nice nutty flavor.
• Cornstarch Slurry: (Mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water)
  Thickens your sauce quickly without lumps.
• Orange Zest (1 teaspoon):
  Adds a refreshing citrus flavor, giving the sauce a bright, fresh finish.

How to Make Easy Orange Chicken Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s make this delicious Easy Orange Chicken in a few simple steps.

Step 1: Make the Batter

• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, egg, cold water, salt, and pepper.
• Stir gently until the batter is smooth and lump-free.

Step 2: Coat and Fry the Chicken

• Add chicken pieces into the batter and stir until all pieces are nicely coated.
• In a deep pan, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Test the oil by dropping a tiny bit of batter—it should sizzle gently.
• Carefully fry chicken pieces in small batches, cooking each batch for about 4–5 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
• Remove chicken with a slotted spoon or tongs and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

Step 3: Prepare the Orange Sauce

• In a small saucepan over medium heat, add fresh orange juice, rice vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and orange zest.
• Stir and bring to a gentle simmer, cooking for about 2–3 minutes until sugar dissolves completely.
• Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the saucepan, stirring constantly.
• Cook the sauce for 1–2 minutes more until it becomes thick and glossy. Remove from heat.

Step 4: Coat Chicken in Sauce

• Add the crispy fried chicken into the sauce, tossing gently to coat every piece evenly with the sticky orange sauce.

Serving and Decoration

This Easy Orange Chicken tastes wonderful served in many ways. Here are some easy, tasty ideas for serving:

• With Rice:
  Serve your orange chicken on fluffy steamed rice or fried rice. It’s great because the rice soaks up the tasty sauce.
• With Noodles:
  Try your chicken on top of cooked noodles for a tasty dinner.
• Vegetables on the Side:
  Add steamed broccoli, carrots, or snap peas for a healthy side. These veggies taste great dipped in extra sauce.
• Garnish Ideas:
  Sprinkle chopped green onions or sesame seeds on top. It makes your dish look fancy and adds extra flavor.

Storing Easy Orange Chicken

This dish stores easily, and leftovers taste great.

• In the Fridge:
  Keep any leftover orange chicken in an airtight container. It stays tasty for 3–4 days.
• Reheating:
  You can warm leftovers in the microwave for about 1–2 minutes or heat them gently in a pan on the stove to keep the chicken crispy.

Tips and Tricks for Success

• Keep Oil Temperature Right:
  Make sure the oil is hot enough (medium-high) but not smoking. This helps your chicken cook evenly and get crispy without burning.
• Small Batches:
  Fry chicken in small batches. Crowding the pan makes the chicken soggy instead of crispy.
• Fresh Orange Juice:
  Freshly squeezed juice tastes best. But bottled juice will work too if you’re short on time.
• Sauce Thickness:
  Adjust the sauce thickness by adding more cornstarch slurry if it’s too thin, or a little water if it’s too thick.

Nutrition Information

Here’s a quick look at the nutrition for Easy Orange Chicken. The values below are for one serving (¼ of the recipe):

Nutrient	Amount per Serving
Calories	390
Total Fat	14g
Saturated Fat	2g
Cholesterol	95mg
Sodium	420mg
Carbohydrates	38g
Sugars	21g
Protein	28g

Easy Orange Chicken FAQs

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes. Chicken breast cooks faster, so fry it for slightly less time to keep it juicy.

Can I bake instead of frying?
Yes. Bake battered chicken pieces on a baking sheet at 425°F (220°C) for about 15–20 minutes until crispy, then coat with sauce.

How long can the sauce stay fresh?
You can store the sauce in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Can I make it less sweet?
Yes. Reduce the sugar slightly or add extra soy sauce or vinegar for less sweetness.

Conclusion

This Easy Orange Chicken is a tasty meal your family will love. It’s simple, flavorful, and quick. Give it a try today and enjoy restaurant-style food at home. Let me know how it turns out, or if you have any questions—happy cooking!