Irresistibly Crispy Orange Chicken Recipe You’ll Love Recipe
This Irresistibly Crispy Orange Chicken recipe features tender bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a crunchy flour and egg breading, fried to golden perfection, then tossed in a tangy and sweet orange glaze with garlic and ginger. Perfect served over rice or noodles for a quick, flavorful meal that satisfies your craving for Asian-inspired comfort food.
- Author: Lily
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying and Simmering
- Cuisine: Asian-American
- Diet: Low Salt
Chicken and Breading
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- Pinch of salt
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
Orange Sauce
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 tsp ginger powder
- Prepare the chicken: Cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and easy eating.
- Set up the breading station: In one bowl, mix the all-purpose flour with a pinch of salt. In another bowl, beat the two large eggs. This setup will help create a crispy coating on the chicken.
- Coat the chicken: Dip each piece of chicken in the beaten egg, allowing any excess to drip off, then thoroughly coat it with the flour mixture. This creates a crispy outer crust after frying.
- Heat the oil: Pour the vegetable oil into a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering and approximately 350°F. Proper oil temperature ensures the chicken fries quickly and crisply without absorbing excess oil.
- Fry the chicken: Fry the chicken pieces in batches so the oil temperature stays consistent. Cook each side for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and drain on paper towels to maintain crispiness.
- Make the orange sauce: In a saucepan, combine fresh orange juice, low-sodium soy sauce, sugar, minced garlic, and ginger powder. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce slightly thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Toss chicken in sauce: Once the sauce has thickened, add the fried chicken pieces to the saucepan and toss well to coat each piece evenly with the flavorful orange glaze.
- Serve: Serve the crispy orange chicken immediately over steamed rice or noodles for a satisfying meal full of contrasting textures and vibrant flavors.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, double coat the chicken by repeating the egg and flour steps before frying.
- If preferred, substitute chicken thighs for a juicier texture but adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Fresh garlic and freshly squeezed orange juice enhance the flavor significantly compared to pre-minced or bottled options.
- Control spice levels by adding a small amount of crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce if desired.
- Use a thermometer to maintain the oil temperature around 350°F for perfect frying results.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed broccoli or snap peas for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: orange chicken, crispy chicken, fried chicken, Asian chicken recipe, orange sauce chicken, easy dinner, sweet and tangy chicken