Easy Orange Chicken & Homemade Sauce
Quick, delicious, and perfect for busy weeknights, this Easy Orange Chicken with Homemade Sauce is sure to be a family favorite!
Ingredients
- 6 boneless chicken thighs or 2 lbs. of chicken tenderloins
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- vegetable oil for frying
- 3/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch for sauce
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil for sauce
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar or white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- chili flakes optional for heat
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into 1/2 inch cubes and place in a mixing bowl. Add the flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, onion powder, paprika, and ground ginger. Toss until the chicken is evenly coated.
- In a deep skillet, heat oil over medium-high temperature. Fry the chicken pieces until they turn a golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can get tough.
- Meanwhile, in another bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients. Pour the mixture into a hot non-stick skillet and simmer on low heat until the sauce becomes thick.
- Once the chicken is done frying, transfer it into the sauce and stir to coat thoroughly. Allow the chicken to simmer in the sauce for 1-2 minutes, then remove from the heat.
- For a delicious pairing, serve your orange chicken over homemade Lo Mein noodles or fluffy white rice. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions if you like.