Easy Orange Chicken Recipe

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will guide you through making an easy and delicious orange chicken recipe. This dish features crispy chicken pieces coated in a sweet and tangy orange sauce, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. You can prepare it using an air fryer, oven, or by shallow frying. Let's dive into the steps!

Step 1: Prepare the Orange Sauce

1. Gather your ingredients:

   • 1 orange (for zest and juice)
   • 1/2 cup orange marmalade
   • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
   • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
   • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger or 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
   • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or 2-3 cloves of minced garlic
   • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes for heat
   • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil (added later)

2. Zest the orange:

   • Use a grater to remove the zest from the orange, then set it aside.

3. Squeeze the juice:

   • Squeeze the juice from the orange into a bowl, ensuring to remove any seeds.

4. Combine the sauce ingredients:

   • In a large skillet, mix together the orange zest, orange juice, marmalade, rice vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and optional red pepper flakes.
   • Whisk together until well combined.

5. Heat the sauce:

   • Place the skillet over medium heat, allowing the mixture to come to a simmer and reduce until syrupy.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

1. Cut the chicken:

   • Use 2 chicken breasts and cut them into strips or bite-sized pieces, as preferred.

2. Set up a dredging station:

   • Prepare two bowls:
     • In one bowl, add 2 cups of panko breadcrumbs and sprinkle in 4 teaspoons of vegetable oil. Mix until the breadcrumbs are slightly sticky.
     • In the second bowl, crack 2 large eggs and add 1 teaspoon of salt. Whisk together.

3. Coat the chicken:

   • Place 1/2 cup of cornstarch in a Ziploc bag.
   • Add the chicken pieces to the bag, seal it, and shake to coat the chicken with cornstarch.
   • Dip each piece into the egg mixture, allowing the excess to drain, then coat with the breadcrumb mixture.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

1. Choose your cooking method:
   • Air Fryer:
     • Preheat your air fryer (optional).
     • Spray the basket with cooking spray.
     • Place the chicken pieces in the basket without overcrowding, and spray the tops with cooking spray.
     • Air fry at 400°F for 5 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until golden and cooked through.
   • Oven:
     • Preheat your oven to 425°F.
     • Spray a baking sheet and place the chicken on it.
     • Bake for 10 minutes, then flip and bake for another 5 minutes.
   • Shallow Fry:
     • Heat about 1/2 inch of oil in a skillet over medium to medium-high heat.
     • Fry the chicken until golden brown and cooked through.

Step 4: Combine Chicken and Sauce

1. Once the chicken is cooked, warm the sauce on medium-low heat until hot.
2. Transfer the crispy chicken into the skillet with the sauce.
3. Toss to coat the chicken evenly in the sauce.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

1. Slice some scallions for garnish.
2. Plate the chicken and garnish with chopped scallions and sesame seeds.
3. Serve warm and enjoy your homemade orange chicken!

Conclusion

You now have a simple and delicious orange chicken recipe that can be made using various cooking methods. The key steps include preparing a flavorful sauce, properly coating the chicken, and cooking it to crispy perfection. Feel free to experiment with ingredients for your own variations. Enjoy your cooking!