Introduction to Orange Chicken
Orange Chicken is indeed one of the most patronized meals that combines the tanginess of orange and the satisfying taste of well-cooked chicken. This dish is a common feature in most Chinese restaurants in America and many now consider it as comfort food. The cuts of the chicken are crisp-fried and served with a delicious orange sauce that keeps people tempted to have more. No matter whether you are searching for a delicious spare time meal or a fantastic dish for the evening with your loved ones Orange Chicken is a great idea.
The Origins of Orange Chicken
Unfortunately, the particular tradition of creating the Orange Chicken dish has remained shrouded in some controversy as to its roots, but still, many people associate it with Chinese cuisine techniques. Today, this dish, especially, Chinese-American restaurants have adopted the preparation and serving of this dish. The other Orange Chicken producers popularized through another reputable chain called Panda Express have also contributed towards the fame of Orange Chicken. As for Orange Chicken, one can define its taste and consistency as ideal and this fact explains its popularity.
Ingredients for the Perfect Orange Chicken
Developing the perfect Orange Chicken does not need a lot of things but it does need these. The chicken that is usually used commonly is boneless skinless chicken breast which is then chopped and cubed. For the breading of the said chicken, the ingredients used are all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. This combination makes sure that the chicken acquires a crispy outside once it is fried.
The stark highlight of the dish though is the orange sauce and that is why this portion is expanded. The sauce consists of juice of oranges, sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, grated skin of oranges, garlic, and ginger. This is cooked for the flavors to blend and, cornstarch diluted in water is added to the sauce to thicken it up. This creates a perfectly balanced sweet, sour, and somewhat hot sauce that adheres well to the fried chicken pieces.
Cooking Methods for Orange Chicken
For the best outcome of Orange Chicken, frying is an absolute necessity for the pieces of chicken. This is then dusted in seasoned flour and cornstarch; the chicken is first coated in beaten eggs. Cooking the chicken at the right temperature helps in the development of crunchy outer skin and its inner part should also be juicy. Finally, the chicken pieces are fried and the oil is then soaked by blotting the chicken in paper towels.
The orange sauce is on the other hand prepared in a saucepan from the same ingredients. When the sauce has thickened to the right consistency the fried chicken pieces are then added and stirred gently to coat the chicken pieces with the sauce. The advantage of this method is that every piece of chicken is adequately and evenly marinated.
Serving and Enjoying Orange Chicken
Orange Chicken can be best eaten hot and is usually accompanied by rice or perhaps vegetables. It should be noted that before turning off the heat when stewing, green onions and sesame seeds may be added to the dish. That orange sauce is not only colorful and makes the dish attractive, but also yields an additional line of spiciness that enriches any bite.
The Orange Chicken recipe can be used for family breakfast or dinner, parties, as well as meal preparation. A very important quality of the dish is its ability to be modified according to one’s choice of preferences. If you want less sweet and more spicy, or more sweet and less spicy, you can adjust the ingredients to your taste to get the preferred Orange Chicken.
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Easy Homemade Orange Chicken Recipe: Sweet and Tangy Delight
Description
Orange chicken is one of the recognized Chinese American foods that can be an entree of deep-fried chicken cubes decorated with orange sauce. It can conveniently be served during a rushed dinner in the evening when preparation time is severely limited, or for several people; in essence, it is a family-sized meal.
Ingredients
For Chicken:
Orange Chicken Sauce:
Optional Ingredients:
Instructions
-
Prepare the Chicken:
- In a bowl, mix the flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- Dip the chicken pieces into the beaten eggs, then coat them in the flour mixture.
-
Fry the Chicken:
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the chicken pieces in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove the chicken and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
-
Make the Orange Chicken Sauce:
- In a saucepan, combine the orange juice, sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, orange zest, garlic, and ginger.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes.
-
Combine and Serve:
- Add the fried chicken pieces to the sauce, tossing to coat evenly.
- Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the chicken is heated through and well-coated with the sauce.
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
- Serve the Orange Chicken hot with steamed rice or vegetables.
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 410kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 10g16%
- Saturated Fat 2g10%
- Cholesterol 32mg11%
- Sodium 760mg32%
- Potassium 305mg9%
- Total Carbohydrate 65g22%
- Dietary Fiber 1g4%
- Sugars 35g
- Protein 17g34%
- Vitamin C 18 mg
- Calcium 52 mg
- Iron 3 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- Adjust the sugar level according to your taste preference.
