Super Easy Orange Chicken (No Frying & No Eggs)
This Super Easy Orange Chicken is tender, juicy chicken coated in a sticky, citrusy sauce bursting with flavor. It requires no eggs or deep-frying; this recipe keeps it light and hassle-free. Plus, it's ready in 30 minutes or less.
Servings 6 servings
Calories 383kcal
Ingredients
For The Orange Sauce:
- 1 cup (240 ml ) orange juice (from 3-4 oranges)
- 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) honey
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Chinese cooking wine Shaoxing wine (see notes)
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) sesame oil (I used toasted sesame oil)
- 1 teaspoon grated peeled fresh ginger (see notes)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper or white pepper (see notes)
- 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest (from 2 oranges)
- 1 tablespoon (10 g) cornstarch
For the chicken:
- 1/4 cup (30 g) cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 lb (907 g aprox.) boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
- 4 tablespoons (60 ml) oil such as vegetable or canola
- Sesame seeds to garnish optional
- Green onions sliced (optional)
Instructions
Make The Orange Sauce:
- Zest 2 oranges. Reserve zest. Then squeeze the oranges. Reserve the juice.
- Place orange juice, sugar, honey, soy sauce, vinegar, Chinese wine, garlic, sesame oil, ginger, cayenne or white pepper, orange zest and cornstarch in a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside.
Make The Chicken:
- Place the cornstarch, salt, and pepper together in a gallon-sized zip-top bag. Add the chicken pieces, seal the bag, and shake until the chicken is well-coated.
- Heat a large skillet or wok on high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of oil and add half of the chicken; cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until well browned. Remove the chicken to a plate and cover with foil to keep it warm. Then, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to the same skillet and brown the rest of the chicken, cooking for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Return the first batch of chicken to the skillet.
- Add the orange sauce, toss to coat, and cook until the sauce thickens, about 3 – 4 minutes.
- Serve orange chicken with rice. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, if desired.
Notes
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove until warmed through.
To freeze, let the cooked chicken cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Chinese cooking wine, Shaoxing wine: If you can't find it, you can omit it or substitute dry sherry.
Ginger: If fresh ginger is not available, you can use 1/4 teaspoon of powdered ginger. Powdered ginger is more concentrated in flavor than fresh ginger, so you need less of it to achieve a similar taste.
Cayenne or White Pepper: Adjust the amount of cayenne or white pepper according to your preferred heat. Add just a pinch for a very mild version or more for a spicier version.
Recipe Tips
- Prep Ahead: To make this recipe even quicker, prep your ingredients in advance. Chop your garlic, grate your ginger, and zest your oranges ahead of time.
- Perfectly Crispy Chicken: Make sure your oil is hot before adding the chicken pieces for extra crispy chicken. Fry them in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Adjusting Spice Level: Adjust the amount of cayenne or white pepper according to your preferred heat.
- Sauce Consistency: If you prefer a thicker sauce, increase the amount of cornstarch slurry. For a thinner consistency, reduce the amount or omit it altogether.
- Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Soy-Free: Substitute soy sauce with coconut aminos for a soy-free alternative.
- Nut-Free: This recipe is naturally nut-free.
- Vegetarian Option: Swap the chicken for tofu or cauliflower florets for a vegetarian twist.
- Spicy Orange Chicken: For an extra kick, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add crushed red pepper flakes.
- Orange Beef: Not a fan of chicken? Substitute beef slices for a delicious Orange Beef alternative.
- Extra Veggies: To amp up the nutrition and flavor, feel free to add your favorite veggies, such as bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas.
Nutrition
Calories: 383kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 765mg | Potassium: 682mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 152IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg