Breading:

Sauce:

How to make Easy Orange Chicken:

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  Combine the orange juice and cubed chicken pieces in a bowl, ensuring the chicken is lightly coated. Then, add the all-purpose flour, paprika, and garlic salt to the chicken. Toss thoroughly until each piece is evenly coated, preparing it for frying.
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  In a large wok or heavy-bottomed pot, heat 3/4 cup of your preferred cooking oil over high heat until shimmering. Carefully add the breaded chicken pieces in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 5-6 minutes, turning once, until golden brown and crispy. Once cooked, transfer the fried chicken to a large pot, and continue frying any remaining chicken in subsequent batches until all pieces are done.
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  In a separate bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients: sugar, water, distilled white vinegar, salt, and soy sauce until well combined. Once the sauce is mixed, pour it generously over the fried chicken in the large pot.
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  Bring the sauce and chicken to a boil uncovered over high heat. Allow it to boil for about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. This simmering process will reduce the sauce, allowing it to thicken and coat the chicken beautifully. The result will be glistening, flavorful chicken pieces coated in a rich, sticky orange sauce. Serve immediately with your favorite sides!

For Slow Cooker (Crockpot) Instructions: If you prefer a slower, hands-off approach, you can adapt this recipe for your crockpot. After frying the chicken as per the instructions, transfer the crispy pieces to your slow cooker. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours. Note that the sauce may be thinner than the stovetop version, but the flavors will meld beautifully.

For Oven-Baked Orange Chicken: For a less hands-on cooking method after frying, you can use your oven. Place the fried chicken into a baking dish and evenly pour the sauce over the chicken. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes. Similar to the crockpot method, the sauce in the oven version might be a bit runnier initially unless cooked for an extended period to allow for reduction.

Handy Side Dish Tip: Maximize your cooking efficiency! While the chicken is simmering in the sauce, place a colander filled with fresh broccoli florets right on top of the pot. The steam from the simmering sauce will perfectly cook your broccoli in just about 7 minutes, giving you a healthy and delicious side dish with minimal extra effort!

Achieving Extra Crispy Chicken: For an even crispier coating, consider a double breading. After the first coat of flour and spices, dip the chicken in an egg wash (beaten eggs with a splash of milk) then back into the flour mixture before frying. This creates a thicker, crunchier crust.

Serving Suggestions: This orange chicken pairs wonderfully with steamed white rice, brown rice, or even fried rice. For a complete meal, add a side of steamed vegetables like the broccoli mentioned above, or a light cucumber salad. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for an authentic touch.

Nutrition per serving

Absolutely! If you love a kick, it’s easy to add some heat to your homemade Orange Chicken. Simply incorporate a teaspoon of Sriracha sauce or crushed red pepper flakes into the sauce mixture before pouring it over the fried chicken. You can adjust the amount to your personal spice preference.

Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe to be gluten-free! The primary change involves the breading. Instead of all-purpose flour, substitute cornstarch for coating the chicken. Ensure your soy sauce is also gluten-free (look for Tamari, which is a gluten-free alternative). With these simple swaps, you can enjoy a delicious gluten-free Orange Chicken.

For a convenient slow-cooked version, first fry your chicken pieces according to the recipe instructions to achieve that desirable crispy texture. Once fried, transfer the chicken into your slow cooker. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken, ensuring it’s evenly distributed. Cook on the low setting for 6-8 hours, or on the high setting for 2-4 hours. While the sauce might be a bit thinner than the stovetop version, the flavors will deepen beautifully.

Yes, an oven-baked option is also available! After frying your chicken pieces, transfer them to a baking dish. Pour the entire sauce mixture over the chicken. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 45 minutes. Keep in mind that for both the slow cooker and oven versions, the sauce may remain runnier compared to the stovetop method, especially if not cooked slowly for several hours to allow for reduction. However, the flavor will still be fantastic!

Orange Chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish, typically featuring crispy, battered fried chicken pieces tossed in a sweet, spicy, and savory sauce with a subtle hint of orange flavor. Unlike some overly citrusy versions, our recipe aims for a balanced taste where the orange complements, rather than overwhelms, the other delicious elements. Many traditional recipes incorporate orange juice or zest, and ours uses a minimal amount to achieve that perfect subtle essence without a strong, dominating orange taste.

General Tso’s Chicken is another beloved Chinese-American dish, known for its sweet, savory, and often spicy flavor profile. It typically features deep-fried chicken pieces coated in a dark, rich sauce that includes soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and chili peppers. The level of spiciness can vary significantly between different Chinese restaurants; some prepare it with a mild heat, while others opt for a much spicier kick, sometimes even spicier than their sesame chicken offerings.

Sesame Chicken is quite similar to General Tso’s Chicken in its preparation, but it often boasts a darker, sweeter, and nuttier sauce, primarily distinguished by the generous use of sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds as a garnish. While it shares the crispy fried chicken base, its sauce profile tends to lean more towards a deep, sweet, and savory umami flavor with less emphasis on spiciness compared to General Tso’s.