This 20-Minute Orange Chicken is the perfect option if you’re craving sweet yet tangy orange chicken but don’t want a boring take-out meal!
I love going to the chinese restaurant in my local mall and getting chinese food to bring home. What I don’t love though is by the time I get home it’s all soggy and not as good as it could be.
Obviously, this simple orange chicken at home recipe comes out fresh and not soggy which makes it the best orange chicken I’ve ever had!
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What We Love About This Recipe
- Less Than 30 Minutes: Start to finish, this recipe takes 20 minutes!
- Easy Ingredients: Only 7 simple ingredients to make this easy orange chicken recipe!
- Family Friendly: Your kids will love this recipe.
- Adaptable: Easy to adapt to dietary needs!
Ingredients
- Cubed Chicken
- Orange Juice
- Brown Sugar
- Cornstarch
Ingredient Notes
- Cubed Chicken – Cubing your chicken breast will give you the perfect bite-sized pieces.
- Orange Juice – It will add the citrusy flavor you expect in orange chicken sauce. Freshly squeezed orange juice is best!
- Brown Sugar – Will make it sweeter and balance the tanginess from the juice and soy sauce.
- Cornstarch – Cornstarch will help thicken up your orange sauce.
Equipment Needed
How to make Chinese Orange Chicken
These are the basic steps for making 20-minute Orange Chicken. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
STEP 1: PREP
Coat the bottom of your pan with the sesame oil and place it over high heat.
STEP 2: ADD CHICKEN
Add the chicken pieces, brown sugar and water then stir to combine. Turn down to medium-high heat, then add the cornstarch and mix.
STEP 3: COOK
When the chicken starts to turn white on the edges, add the soy sauce and stir periodically. Add the orange juice by pouring it on top and stirring gently.
The chicken will cook for about 10 minutes or until there’s no pink left in the middle. Serve and enjoy!
Helpful Tips
HOW TO MAKE EASY ORANGE CHICKEN AHEAD OF TIME
Cube your chicken breast ahead of time. If you’re planning on making it soon, store in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready. If it’ll be a while, throw it in the freezer in an airtight container!
HOW TO STORE ORANGE CHICKEN
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days!
HOW TO FREEZE ORANGE CHICKEN
Store in freezer bags, orange chicken will keep for up to 3 months.
HOW TO REHEAT ORANGE CHICKEN
Reheat the chicken in a pan over medium heat!
Frequently Asked Questions
Use a gluten free soy sauce and sesame/stir-fry oil!
Yes! You can easily adapt this to meet dietary needs!
Absolutely! This recipe is easy to either half of double to feed your family!
Nope! Vinegar is usually in sweet and sour sauces, while orange chicken has an orange-based sauce!
Whatever you like! I prefer to use chicken thighs or boneless, skinless chicken breast!
Sure! The combination of orange juice and zest will help add more of the citrusy, orange flavor!
What to Serve with Orange Chicken
Orange Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breast, skinned and cubed
- 1 tsp sesame oil or stir fry oil
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- ¾ cup orange juice
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Coat the bottom of your pan with the sesame oil and place it over high heat.
- Add chicken, brown sugar and water then stir to combine, turning down the heat to medium high.
- Add the corn starch and mix.
- When the chicken starts to turn white on the edges, add the soy sauce and continue to stir periodically.
- Pour the orange juice over the top and stir sparingly while the chicken cooks for about 10 minutes or until the chicken is cooked throughout.