Updated on December 5th, 2022
Today I’m back with yet another Chinese-American dish – Orange Chicken. It seems as though you can find orange chicken almost anywhere you want to eat these days. It is most commonly found at fast food restaurants, but don’t worry, this is so much better than anything you will find there. What really makes this recipe stand out is the combination of both orange and lemon juice. Once again we are also using the deep fryer for cooking the battered chicken. Now I get a lot of questions from people wondering if they can use a wok instead. The answer is yes; a wok would work just about as good as a deep fryer and can be used without a problem. Just be sure to add enough oil. Great oil for frying this battered chicken would be peanut oil. Using peanut oil will give you the most flavorful chicken. If you’re looking for a simple Chinese dish for dinner this evening be sure to give this recipe for orange chicken a try.
Orange Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- Chicken-
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1–1/2” cubes)
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 egg (beaten)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- Oil (for frying)
Orange Sauce- - 1 ½ cups water
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar
- 2 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon orange zest (grated)
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ginger root (minced)
- ½ teaspoon garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons green onion (chopped)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Combine flour, salt, and pepper. Dip chicken in the egg mixture and shake in flour mixture to coat. Deep fry chicken in batches at 375 degrees in a deep fryer (or use a wok) until completely cooked.
- Meanwhile, in a large saucepan combine 1 ½ cups water, lemon juice, orange juice, rice vinegar, and soy sauce. Blend well over medium heat for a few minutes. Stir in brown sugar, orange zest, ginger garlic, and onion. Bring to a boil.
- Combine 3 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1/4 cup of water and mix thoroughly. Slowly stir cornstarch mixture into sauce until it thickens. Pour sauce over breaded chicken, and if desired add red pepper flakes and garnish with green onions. Enjoy.
Looks excellent!
I’ve never had orange chicken before but it sounds delicious! I’m definitely going to give this a try. Thanks for the recipe! 🙂
This is mouthwatering. I have to try this.
I love Orange Chicken. Yours look so delicious. I think I might make some today!
i love orange chicken but i’ve never tried to make it at home.
i’m with you on the orange-lemon combo; i just used the combo last night in a vinaigrette for some duck, and it was awesome.
We love orange chicken! This one I’m going to have to make soon! Thanks! Great photos too.
Peanut oil is the way to go.Thanks for the recipe
oh.. i have to try this for my familly gatherding day.
That orange chicken looks really good!
Delicious again Bobby. This was a fantastic recipe, and real easy to boot. Next time i think i will put a little more spice in, but i put some onions and snow peas in with it, yummy. Thanks again!
Ric – no problem, I’m glad to enjoyed it.
Thanks everyone for the comments, and I hope you all enjoy the recipe. Let me know how it turns out.
Came back to say how good this is! I will blog about it later on. 🙂
Rachelle – Glad you enjoyed the recipe. Many more good ones to come… and I look forward to the blog post 🙂
This one looks great and I know that my family will love it. Thanks!!
I just stumbled across your blog and am so glad I did! This orange chicken is the first thing I am going to try, but I have already seen several other recipes I am dying about! Fabulous blog!
I have (and have made several times) almost this exact same recipe– and it’s incredible. The sauce is amazing… the perfect combo of sweet and salty, tangy and spicy. SO good.
My recipe, though, uses 3/4 cornstarch and 1/4 flour for the coating, and I think that’s probably more authentic. It gives the chicken that very characteristic Chinese-fried texture. I’d suggest giving it a try.
Anyway, amazing recipe. If anybody is having doubts about making this… don’t! It’s super wonderful.
-Karen
Connie – Go for it, everyone will enjoy it 🙂
Melanie – Thanks for the comments on my blog. Let me know how everything turns out. I have many more great recipes to share.
Karen – It really is soo good :). Next time I make this I will for sure try the coating suggestion. Thanks!
This was fantastic!
Thanks for the recipe.
We made this for dinner tonight and it was fantastic! Thanks!
Jeri – glad you enjoyed it. Many more to come.
Ginny – no problem, I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe.
How does this compare to the orange chicken from Panda Express? The texture looks slightly different.
Adam – Sorry, I don’t really know because I have never had the panda express orange chicken but I could guess and say pretty similar 😉
Great taste, today I make this recipe and was a super hit. I also make the shrimp recipe with white wine and everybody in my office came to see what I was eating at the lunch hour.
You are a great cheff.
Gracias mil!!!
marie – I’m glad you enjoyed the recipes! Thanks for the compliments and theres many more great recipes to come.
It lookes so good! Adam It is practicly the same thing but this one i think tasts better. Now every night i am going to make it. Thanks for the recipe.
Lyndsey – Thanks for clearing that up for Adam. I hope you enjoy the recipe. Let me know how it turns out!
I have been looking high and low for this recipe! This is the best descriptive recipe I have found. I am sure I will love it. Thanks!!!
k.crosby – If you like orange chicken, you will love it! Glad I could help.
wow! this recipe is a keeper. it looks so easy too. thank you.
Wow delicious, wull try them.
We are Never Full – it’s a keeper for sure. Let me know how it turns out.
Happy Cook – It’s delicious, let me know what you think!
Drool-worthy photos! Looks delicious!!
I’m always looking for interesting chicken recipes – this looks great!
This orange chicken tastes delicious! My family can’t get enough of it. Great recipe.
This recipe was great. I made it two nights in a row. I love cooking and this recipe was a lot of fun! I am 13 years old.
wow, that looks soooooooo good!
HI,OMG,I made this with your recipe and it turned out yummy.I had never liked orange chicken until today,thanks 😀
IT’s so delicious !! thanks for this good recipe
I’m trying this recipe today with a few little tweaks, such as, I’m brining my chicken in an orange tea…
I’ll let you know how it turns out.
It turned out great. My post will be up soon…
Amazing! My Dad loved it when i made it for us!!
great recipe perfect combinations of everything
🙂
I just finished making this. WOW! Very good, my wife hates chinese and even she ate this. Thanks for this recipe! It will go to my top, right up there with sesame chicken. mmmmm
I definatly have to try your recipe, Orange Chicken happens to be one of my favorite meals.
I liked the recipe, but it required more brown sugar to enhance it and make it taste like orange chicken
I am a horrible cook. I just wanted to try something easy but impressive. This dish was it.
This dish came out perfect, everyone was surprised when they took the first bite. (in a good way, my cousin actually said “Wow!” when she bit in)
Note: i made an amateur mistake. Make sure to dilute the cornstarch in water before adding it to the sauce mixture.
Brian – I’m glad you enjoyed it. Yes, you need to mix cornstarch with cold water 🙂
HAS ANYONE SUBSTITUTED ORANGE MARMALADE IN THIS RECIPE?
hey! I’m from london and have been to the USA a few times and i LOVE LOVE LOVE orange chicken! we dont have a similar version here in the UK! I’m so gald i found this one thanks!!!
We had this for dinner last night. Soooooo yummy, I ate it all. No leftovers for lunch today:-(