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Easy Orange Chicken

Easy Orange Chicken

The ultimate comfort food, Easy Orange Chicken is a deliciously tangy dish that satisfies your cravings with every bite. Sweet, savory, and utterly irresistible, it's the perfect easy weeknight dinner that you can whip up in no time. Try it tonight!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pieces large boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • Chopped scallions optional, for serving
  • 3/4 cup orange juice see note
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • Zest from 1 orange see note
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • Whisk
  • Grater
  • Chef's Knife
  • Frying pan
  • Wooden Spoon

Method
 

  1. Start by preparing your ingredients. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and place them in a medium bowl.
  2. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then sprinkle one tablespoon of cornstarch over the top. Toss the chicken until it's evenly coated.
  3. In another bowl, mix all the sauce ingredients: orange juice, soy sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar, remaining cornstarch, orange zest, ginger, and garlic. Whisk together until smooth and well combined.
  4. Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Allow the oil to get hot.
  5. Add half of the coated chicken to the skillet, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for about four minutes or until it’s golden brown, then carefully flip each piece using tongs and cook for another three to four minutes.
  6. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and repeat the process with the remaining chicken.
  7. After cooking the chicken, turn off the burner. Pour the sauce into the skillet, which should still be hot. Stir and scrape the pan to release any flavorful bits stuck to the bottom.
  8. Once the sauce has thickened, return the chicken to the skillet. Toss everything together, ensuring each piece is well-coated with the luscious sauce.
  9. Serve the Easy Orange Chicken immediately! You can garnish it with chopped scallions if desired.

Notes

For the orange juice, I use a Simply Orange brand variety with no pulp. You can use freshly squeezed orange juice if you prefer. For the orange zest, I would not go over 1 tablespoon unless you want it very orangey. 1/2-3/4 tablespoon or so will be fine (one medium orange). Oranges vary in size, so you don’t need to be too precise. I love to serve this recipe with rice, but that’s totally optional!