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Close-up of deep-fried chicken pieces with a craggy texture, generously coated in a sticky orange sauce with sesame seeds. (Orange Chicken Recipe)

Orange Chicken Recipe: The Ultimate Guide to Crispy, Glossy Perfection

This professional-grade Orange Chicken Recipe features golden-brown craggy chicken tossed in a thick, translucent amber-orange glaze. Perfectly balanced sweetness and citrus brightness make this the ultimate restaurant-quality dinner for home cooks.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American-Chinese
Calories: 485
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Orange Chicken Components
  • 1.5 lbs Chicken Thighs Boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch chunks (680g)
  • 1 cup Cornstarch (125g)
  • 0.5 cup All-Purpose Flour (65g)
  • 2 large Eggs Whisked with 1 tbsp water
  • 0.75 cup Fresh Orange Juice (180ml)
  • 2 tbsp Orange Zest Freshly grated
  • 0.25 cup Light Soy Sauce (60ml)
  • 3 tbsp Rice Vinegar (45ml)
  • 0.5 cup Sugar (100g)
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Ginger Minced (15g)
  • 1 tsp Toasted Sesame Oil (5ml)
  • 1 tbsp Sesame Seeds Toasted white seeds
  • 2 stalks Green Scallions Sliced on a bias

Equipment

  • 1 Heavy-Bottomed Dutch Oven or Wok Used for frying and maintaining heat.
  • 1 Instant-Read Thermometer To monitor oil temperature precisely.
  • 1 Microplane Zester For fine orange zest.

Method
 

Chicken Preparation and Frying
  1. Pat chicken dry. Dip pieces into whisked egg, then toss in the cornstarch and flour mixture until a craggy, irregular coating forms.
  2. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken in batches for 5-6 minutes until deep golden-brown and crispy. Drain on a wire rack.
Sauce Reduction and Assembly
  1. Combine orange juice, zest, soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar in a pan. Simmer until reduced by one-third.
  2. Whisk cornstarch slurry into the sauce. Stir until the glaze is thick, glossy, and translucent.
  3. Add fried chicken to a hot wok. Pour glaze over chicken and toss rapidly for 60 seconds to coat every crevice.
  4. Transfer to a white ceramic bowl. Top with toasted sesame seeds and fresh green scallions.

Notes

For maximum crunch, use the double-fry method mentioned in the expert tips.
Always zest the oranges before juicing for the cleanest citrus flavor.