20-Minute Orange Chicken Recipe

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5 from 13 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 20 minutes

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!
5 from 13 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 20 minutes

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

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE GLUTEN FREE

Use a gluten free soy sauce and sesame/stir-fry oil!

CAN I SUBSTITUTE TOFU IN PLACE OF CHICKEN?

Yes! You can easily adapt this to meet dietary needs!

CAN THIS RECIPE BE DOUBLED OR HALVED?

Absolutely! This recipe is easy to either half of double to feed your family!

IS ORANGE CHICKEN THE SAME AS SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN?

Nope! Vinegar is usually in sweet and sour sauces, while orange chicken has an orange-based sauce!

WHAT KIND OF CHICKEN SHOULD I USE?

Whatever you like! I prefer to use chicken thighs or boneless, skinless chicken breast!

CAN I USE ORANGE ZEST?

Sure! The combination of orange juice and zest will help add more of the citrusy, orange flavor!

What to Serve with Orange Chicken

5 from 13 votes

Orange Chicken

Yield: 6 Servings Orange Chicken
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
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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.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Serving: 1g | Calories: 213kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 720mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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Course: Asian Inspired

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