The aroma of crispy orange chicken wafts through the air, making your mouth water in anticipation. Picture juicy chicken coated in a golden glaze, bursting with zesty citrus flavors that dance on your taste buds like they’re at a party.

Every bite of this crispy orange chicken recipe evokes memories of family gatherings, where laughter fills the room and plates are piled high. delicious Thai chicken curry This dish is perfect for those cozy weeknights when you want something special without spending hours in the kitchen.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- The crispy orange chicken recipe is incredibly easy to prepare, allowing you to whip it up even on busy nights.
- Its sweet and tangy flavor profile will leave everyone asking for seconds.
- Visually stunning with its vibrant color, this dish makes any dinner table pop.
- Perfect for weeknight dinners but versatile enough for entertaining friends or family.
I remember the first time I made this crispy orange chicken recipe; my family devoured it in minutes while demanding I take a bow. crispy salmon bites.
Essential Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: I usually use about 3-4 chicken breasts; adjust based on how many hungry mouths you’re feeding.
- Fresh Orange Juice: Make sure it’s freshly squeezed for the best flavor; bottled just won’t do!
- Garlic: Fresh garlic adds a punch of flavor; avoid the powdered stuff if you can.
- Soy Sauce: Low-sodium soy sauce allows better control over saltiness without sacrificing flavor.
- Brown Sugar: This adds sweetness and helps create that irresistible caramelization.
- Cornstarch: Essential for that delightful crispiness; don’t skip this ingredient!
- Vegetable Oil: Use for frying until golden brown; peanut oil also works wonders if you have it.
- Green Onions: Finely chopped as a garnish to add freshness and a pop of color.
For the Sauce:
- Zest of an Orange: It enhances the orange flavor; plus, who doesn’t love a bit of zest?
- Ginger: Fresh ginger brings warmth and complexity to the sauce; ground ginger is okay but fresh is preferred.
- Sriracha Sauce (optional): Add a touch if you like some heat; it balances beautifully with the sweetness.
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.
Let’s Make it together
Prepare the Chicken: Start by cutting chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Pat them dry with paper towels to ensure they get crispy during cooking.
Create the Marinade: In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, fresh orange juice, minced garlic, and ginger. Let the chicken marinate in this flavorful mix for at least 30 minutes. For more inspiration, check out this easy chicken recipes recipe.
Coat with Cornstarch: Remove chicken from marinade and toss each piece in cornstarch until well-coated. This will give you that lovely crunch when cooked!
Heat the Oil: In a large skillet or wok, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. You can test if it’s hot enough by dropping a small piece of chicken in; it should sizzle!
Fry Until Crispy: Carefully add coated chicken pieces to the hot oil in batches. Fry them until golden brown and crispy—about 4-5 minutes per batch—then drain on paper towels.
Make the Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine remaining marinade with brown sugar and zest. Cook until syrupy, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
After frying all your chicken pieces, toss them in this luscious sauce until well-coated. It’s time to serve!
Serve your crispy orange chicken hot over rice or noodles, garnished with green onions for that extra flair! Enjoy every bite while marveling at how simple yet delicious homemade can be.
This crispy orange chicken recipe is bound to become a staple in your home cooking repertoire! comforting mac and cheese soup.
You Must Know
- This crispy orange chicken recipe will impress everyone at your dinner table.
- The sweet and tangy sauce combined with the crunchy chicken creates a delightful texture and flavor explosion.
- It’s perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion, making it versatile and fun to prepare.
Perfecting the Cooking Process
Start by marinating the chicken to infuse flavor, then coat it in cornstarch before frying for that perfect crunch.
Add Your Touch
Feel free to swap orange juice for lemon or lime for a tangy twist. Add veggies like bell peppers for extra color and nutrition.
Storing & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in the oven to maintain crispiness, ideally around 350°F.
Chef's Helpful Tips
- Make sure your oil is hot enough before frying; otherwise, the chicken will become soggy.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan while frying to ensure even cooking.
- Use fresh orange juice for a vibrant taste that really elevates the dish.
Sharing this crispy orange chicken recipe brings back memories of family dinners where laughter filled the air, and no one left hungry. grilled chicken souvlaki.
FAQ
How do I make my crispy orange chicken more flavorful?
Add fresh ginger and garlic to enhance the taste of your sauce.
Can I substitute chicken with tofu in this crispy orange chicken recipe?
For more inspiration, check out this buffalo chicken mac and cheese recipe.
Absolutely! Tofu works great for a vegetarian version and absorbs flavors well.
What can I serve with crispy orange chicken?
Pair it with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables for a delicious meal.

Crispy Orange Chicken
- Author: Mery Mack
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
Description
Crispy Orange Chicken is a delightful dish that brings the vibrant flavors of citrus and savory goodness to your dinner table. This easy-to-make recipe features tender chicken pieces coated in a crispy layer, smothered in a sweet and tangy orange sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or special gatherings, it promises to impress family and friends alike. With just a handful of fresh ingredients and simple steps, you can create a restaurant-quality meal at home that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Ingredients
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 tsp fresh ginger (grated)
- Sriracha sauce (optional, to taste)
- Green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and pat dry.
- In a bowl, combine soy sauce, orange juice, minced garlic, and ginger. Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes.
- Coat marinated chicken pieces in cornstarch.
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Fry chicken in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels.
- In a saucepan, mix remaining marinade with brown sugar and orange zest; cook until syrupy.
- Toss fried chicken in the sauce until well-coated. Serve hot over rice or noodles, garnished with green onions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: For extra flavor, add fresh ginger and garlic to the marinade. Substitute orange juice with lemon or lime for a zesty twist. Include colorful vegetables like bell peppers for added nutrition.