How to Make the Best Easy Orange Chicken Recipe in 30 Minutes

Craving Chinese takeout? Discover how to make the best easy orange chicken recipe at home in just 30 minutes. Crispy, tangy, and delicious! Try this easy orange chicken recipe tonight!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ready in just 30 minutes, perfect for quick family dinners
• Crispy, tangy, and full of flavor
• Easy to customize with your favorite sides
• Better than takeout, made right in your kitchen

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy orange chicken recipe:

• 1 lb chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup cold water
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Vegetable oil, for frying (about 1½–2 cups)
• 1 cup fresh orange juice
• ¼ cup rice vinegar
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (for slurry)
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest

Full ingredient list with measurements is provided in the printable recipe card below.

How to Make the Recipe

Let’s break this easy orange chicken recipe down into simple steps:

Step 1: Make the Batter

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, egg, cold water, salt, and pepper until smooth. This batter will give your chicken that light, crispy coating you love in Chinese takeout.

Step 2: Fry the Chicken

Coat the chicken pieces in the batter, making sure they’re fully covered. Heat about 1½–2 cups of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the chicken in batches and fry for 4–5 minutes on each side, or until golden and crispy. Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

Step 3: Make the Sauce

In a saucepan, combine the orange juice, rice vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and orange zest. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to make a slurry, then stir it into the sauce. Continue cooking for a few minutes until the sauce thickens to your liking.

Step 4: Combine and Serve

Toss the crispy fried chicken in the orange sauce until evenly coated. Serve hot over rice or noodles and enjoy!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Here are a few tips to ensure your easy orange chicken turns out perfectly every time:

• Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying the chicken. Cook in batches if necessary, to ensure even cooking.
• Use fresh orange juice for the best flavor. Bottled juice can be too sweet and lacks that fresh zing.
• Adjust the sauce thickness to your liking by adding more or less cornstarch slurry.
• Add some heat by including a dash of red pepper flakes if you prefer spicy orange chicken.

How to Serve

This easy orange chicken recipe is versatile and can be served in several ways:

• Serve over a bed of fluffy white rice or garlic butter ramen noodles for a filling meal.
• Pair it with some steamed broccoli or snap peas for a balanced dinner.
• For a quick lunch, serve alongside a simple green salad or as a topping for a high-protein pasta salad.

Make Ahead and Storage

Here’s how to prepare this recipe ahead of time and store leftovers:

• Make ahead: Prepare the batter and sauce up to a day in advance. Store the batter in the fridge and the sauce in an airtight container.
• Refrigerate: Cooked orange chicken can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet or oven until crispy and hot.
• Freeze: Fried chicken can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat with fresh sauce for the best results.

And there you have it—a delicious, easy orange chicken recipe that’s ready in just 30 minutes! Perfect for quick family dinners or weeknight meals, this dish is sure to become a favorite. Let me know in the comments how you enjoy it, and don’t forget to share your creations with me on social media!

Looking for more quick and tasty recipes? Try my best chicken salad sandwich for a quick lunch or my high-protein pasta salad for a healthy, satisfying meal. Happy cooking!