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Close-up of golden-brown fried chicken pieces in a thick translucent orange sauce with sesame seeds. (Orange Chicken Recipe)

Orange Chicken Recipe: Better-Than-Takeout Crispy Orange Chicken

This Orange Chicken Recipe features crispy fried chicken nuggets tossed in a glossy orange citrus glaze. A perfect balance of sweet and tangy, topped with toasted sesame seeds and fresh green scallions for an authentic restaurant experience.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American-Chinese
Calories: 485
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Recipe
  • 1.5 lbs Chicken Thighs Cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup All-purpose flour 60g
  • 1/2 cup Cornstarch 64g
  • 2 large Eggs Beaten
  • 1 cup Orange Juice 240ml, preferably fresh
  • 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar 100g
  • 2 tbsp Rice Vinegar 30ml
  • 2 tbsp Soy Sauce 30ml
  • 1 tbsp Orange Zest From one large orange
  • 1 tbsp Sesame Seeds Toasted, for garnish
  • 2 stalks Green Scallions Sliced, for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Wok or Large Skillet For frying chicken and tossing sauce
  • 1 Kitchen Thermometer To monitor oil temperature

Method
 

Prepare the Chicken
  1. Season chicken pieces. Dip in beaten egg, then in flour/cornstarch mixture until fully coated.
  2. Fry chicken in 350°F (175°C) oil in batches until golden-brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes.
Make the Sauce
  1. Combine sauce ingredients in a pan. Add cornstarch slurry and whisk until thick, translucent, and glossy.
  2. Toss fried chicken in the sauce until heavily coated. Serve in a white bowl with sesame seeds and scallions.

Notes

Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after dredging for a better crust.
Use an air fryer to reheat for the best texture.