Easy Orange Chicken Recipe
Easy Orange Chicken Recipe is a quick orange chicken recipe perfect for busy nights, delivering crispy chicken, sweet-savory sauce, and better-than-takeout flavor. Chicken pieces are coated and pan-fried until golden before being tossed in a sticky glaze made with orange marmalade and Japanese BBQ sauce.
Servings: 4
Calories: 427kcal
Equipment
- Large skillet or deep fryer
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Tongs
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts cut into 1-inch pieces
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil for frying like avocado or canola
- salt and pepper to taste
Orange Sauce
- ½ cup Japanese BBQ sauce such as Bachan’s Original or Hot & Spicy
- ⅓ cup orange marmalade
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder or 1 small garlic clove, minced and sautéed briefly
- pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- In a bowl, toss chicken with cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Heat oil in a large skillet or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook chicken in batches for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate or wire rack to drain.
- In another bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, orange marmalade, vinegar, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Add fried chicken pieces to the sauce and toss until well coated.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Best served with steamed rice, noodles, or stir-fried veggies.
Video
Notes
Cooking Notes
Keeping the oil hot while frying helps the coating crisp properly. Tossing the chicken in the sauce right before serving keeps the exterior from becoming soggy too quickly.
Tips for Best Results:
- Fry the chicken in batches for better browning.
- Do not overcrowd the skillet.
- Toss the sauce thoroughly before adding the chicken.
- Serve immediately for the crispiest texture.
Nutrition
Calories: 427kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 582mg | Potassium: 731mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 148IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg
