Dinner
Homemade Orange Chicken
Discover the magic of Homemade Orange Chicken with this easy, fried recipe featuring crispy chicken and zesty orange peel. It's perfect for satisfying those Chinese takeout cravings. I remember the first time I made this dish — I was desperately trying to recreate my takeout favorite at home. The secret is in the zesty orange peel and the warm hug of star anise; it totally takes the classic to another level. Plus, who can resist those perfectly crispy, golden chicken nuggets?
Dinner
Homemade Orange Chicken
Discover the magic of Homemade Orange Chicken with this easy, fried recipe featuring crispy chicken and zesty orange peel. It's perfect for satisfying those Chinese takeout cravings. I remember the first time I made this dish — I was desperately trying to recreate my takeout favorite at home. The secret is in the zesty orange peel and the warm hug of star anise; it totally takes the classic to another level. Plus, who can resist those perfectly crispy, golden chicken nuggets?
The Recipe
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 1 lb chicken breast or thigh, cut into nugget-sized pieces
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp ginger powder
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
For Frying
- Cornstarch, for dredging
- Oil, for frying
Sauce
- 1 piece of ginger
- 2-3 garlic cloves
- 1 piece of orange peel
- 2-3 dried peppers
- 1 star anise
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- Cornstarch slurry, as needed
For Serving
- Sliced scallions
- Steamed rice
- Chili garlic noodles (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Cut chicken breast or thigh into nugget-sized pieces. Season with garlic powder, ginger powder, white pepper, rice vinegar, soy sauce, salt, and sesame oil. Mix and set aside to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- 2
Dredge the marinated chicken in cornstarch, then fry in hot oil until golden brown. Set aside.
- 3
Heat up some oil in a wok. Add one piece of ginger, garlic cloves, one piece of orange peel, dried peppers, and star anise. Toast for about 30 seconds, then remove the orange peel.
- 4
Add orange juice, chicken broth, sugar, soy sauce, and rice vinegar to the wok. Gradually add cornstarch slurry until the sauce thickens.
- 5
Add the crispy chicken to the sauce along with sliced scallions. Mix well.
- 6
Serve the orange chicken with steamed rice and top with more scallions. Optionally, serve with chili garlic noodles.
Helpful Notes
- ◈Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to enhance flavor.
- ◈Remove the orange peel after toasting to avoid bitterness.
The Recipe
Instructions
- 1
Cut chicken breast or thigh into nugget-sized pieces. Season with garlic powder, ginger powder, white pepper, rice vinegar, soy sauce, salt, and sesame oil. Mix and set aside to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- 2
Dredge the marinated chicken in cornstarch, then fry in hot oil until golden brown. Set aside.
- 3
Heat up some oil in a wok. Add one piece of ginger, garlic cloves, one piece of orange peel, dried peppers, and star anise. Toast for about 30 seconds, then remove the orange peel.
- 4
Add orange juice, chicken broth, sugar, soy sauce, and rice vinegar to the wok. Gradually add cornstarch slurry until the sauce thickens.
- 5
Add the crispy chicken to the sauce along with sliced scallions. Mix well.
- 6
Serve the orange chicken with steamed rice and top with more scallions. Optionally, serve with chili garlic noodles.
Helpful Notes
- ◈Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to enhance flavor.
- ◈Remove the orange peel after toasting to avoid bitterness.