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Orange Chicken

Orange Chicken

  • Author: Marcus
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

A quick and tasty orange chicken recipe perfect for busy weeknights, featuring juicy chicken thighs coated in a crispy golden crust and coated with a bright, flavorful orange glaze made from fresh orange juice and wholesome, natural ingredients. This dish is family-friendly, versatile, and easily adaptable to plant-based alternatives, delivering sweet, tangy, and mildly savory flavors your whole family will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Coating

  • 500g chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • Vegetable oil, for frying

Orange Sauce

  • 1 cup fresh orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar (natural)
  • 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (natural)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • 1/4 teaspoon natural gelling agent

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, then toss them gently in cornstarch until each piece is well-coated. This helps create that irresistible crispy texture when fried.
  2. Fry until golden: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken pieces in batches until golden brown and crispy. Remove and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
  3. Create the orange sauce: In a bowl, whisk together fresh orange juice, brown sugar (natural), vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), apple cider vinegar, soy sauce (natural), garlic, ginger, and orange zest. Add a pinch of natural gelling agent and stir well to ensure a glossy sauce.
  4. Cook the sauce: Pour the sauce mixture into a saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring continuously until it thickens slightly and reaches a nice syrupy consistency. This step intensifies the flavors and perfectly coats the chicken.
  5. Combine chicken and sauce: Return the fried chicken to the skillet and pour the sauce over it. Toss everything together gently to ensure each piece is evenly coated in that irresistible orange glaze.

Notes

  • Pat the chicken dry before coating to help the cornstarch adhere and crisp up better during frying.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan when frying; cook in small batches to maintain oil temperature for crispiness.
  • Use fresh orange juice for the best natural sweetness and vibrant flavor.
  • Taste the sauce before thickening and adjust the brown sugar or apple cider vinegar to balance sweetness and tang to your preference.
  • Prepare all ingredients before frying to save time and keep the cooking process smooth.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 420
  • Sugar: 12g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 32g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: orange chicken, quick dinner, weeknight meal, crispy chicken, citrus sauce, gluten free, plant-based adaptable

Find it online: https://tastysoulkitchen.com/orange-chicken/