Orange Chicken Recipe: A Complete Guide to Making the Best Orange Chicken

When it comes to popular chicken recipes, few dishes stand out like the orange chicken recipe. This flavorful combination of crispy fried chicken and sweet, tangy orange sauce has become one of the most beloved American Chinese dishes. Many people first experienced orange chicken at panda express or in Chinese restaurants, but making it at home is not only possible—it’s one of the most rewarding chicken recipes you can try.

Table of Contents

In this guide, we’ll explore how to make orange chicken from scratch, share tips for achieving crispy chicken pieces every time, explain how to freeze orange chicken for later, and cover everything from choosing the right chicken cuts to perfecting the orange sauce. By the end, you’ll know how to prepare the best orange chicken recipe that rivals any takeout.

The Origins of Orange Chicken

Orange chicken is a Chinese American dish often found in Chinese take-out menus across the United States. While some assume it’s a traditional Chinese dish, orange chicken is more of an American Chinese creation. It was designed to cater to American taste buds, combining crispy fried chicken with a sweet orange sauce made with orange juice and orange zest.

Unlike general tso’s chicken, which uses a slightly spicier sauce, orange chicken highlights the bright citrus flavor of fresh orange combined with the umami depth of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. This makes orange chicken one of the most popular Chinese-inspired chicken recipes in the world.

Why Orange Chicken Is So Popular

Orange chicken is loved for many reasons:

Crispy fried chicken pieces that stay golden brown even when drenched in orange sauce.
The sweet orange sauce that balances tangy, sweet, and savory flavors.
The versatility—it can be made with chicken breast, boneless skinless chicken thighs, or even ground chicken.
It’s one of the easiest chicken recipes to make at home, especially if you follow an easy orange chicken recipe.
It stores well, so you can freeze orange chicken for later and still enjoy that classic takeout flavor.

Many people say they love this recipe because it feels like having Chinese take-out at home, but with fresher ingredients and more control over the flavor.

🍊 Orange: The Key Ingredient

The star of every orange chicken recipe is, of course, the orange. To make the best orange chicken, you need both orange juice and orange zest. Fresh orange juice gives the sauce its bright flavor, while the zest provides an extra punch of citrus aroma.

Some home cooks also use orange marmalade for added sweetness and thickness in the sauce. While traditional recipes rely solely on fresh orange, adding marmalade can make the orange flavor stronger and help the sauce cling to the crispy chicken.

How to Make Orange Chicken

When you make orange chicken at home, you’ll follow a few key steps:

Cut the chicken – Choose boneless skinless chicken breast or chicken thighs because they’re easy to cut into bite-sized chicken pieces.
Coat the chicken – Coat the chicken pieces with cornstarch and sometimes flour to ensure they fry crispy.
Fry the chicken in two batches – To avoid overcrowding, fry the chicken in two batches until golden brown and crispy.
Make the orange sauce – Whisk together orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, and cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water.
Add chicken to the pan – Once the sauce thickens, add the chicken and coat the chicken pieces in the sweet orange sauce.
Serve orange chicken – Pair it with steamed rice, fried rice, or noodles for a complete Chinese food experience.

🥘 Using a Skillet for Orange Chicken

A heavy-bottomed skillet is one of the best tools for cooking orange chicken at home. You can fry the chicken in oil, then remove chicken and use the same skillet to make the orange sauce. Cooking everything in one pan keeps cleanup simple and helps the flavors blend together.

When frying, use medium-high heat and make sure the oil is hot enough so the coated chicken doesn’t absorb too much grease. The goal is crispy chicken that stays golden brown.

Easy Orange Chicken Recipe

If you’re looking for a fast and easy recipe, this easy orange chicken recipe simplifies the process:

Use boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs.
Cut the chicken into small cubes.
Coat with cornstarch.
Fry the chicken in hot oil until crispy.
Make the orange sauce using orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and brown sugar.
Add cornstarch and water to thicken the sauce.
Toss the crispy chicken in the sauce and serve immediately.

This easy recipe can be ready in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight meal that tastes just like Chinese take-out.

Best Orange Chicken

What makes the best orange chicken? It comes down to a few things:

Using fresh orange juice and zest for the best flavor.
Ensuring the chicken is crispy fried chicken, not soggy.
Balancing sweet, savory, and tangy flavors in the orange chicken sauce.
Serving the dish immediately after coating the chicken with the sauce.

The best chicken for this recipe is usually boneless skinless chicken thighs because they’re more tender and juicy, but chicken breast works just as well if you prefer leaner meat.

Best Orange Chicken Recipe

The best orange chicken recipe is one that you can easily repeat at home while getting restaurant-quality results. This version combines crispy fried chicken, a perfectly balanced orange sauce, and the right cooking method to deliver that signature takeout flavor.

One key step is to fry the chicken in two batches to keep each piece of chicken golden brown and crunchy. After frying, flip the chicken pieces onto a paper towel to remove excess oil before adding them to the sauce.

📖 Recipe: Homemade Orange Chicken

Sauce Ingredients

1 cup fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon orange zest
2 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ginger, grated
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)

Chicken Ingredients

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs
1/2 cup cornstarch
Oil for frying

Instructions

Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Coat the chicken pieces with cornstarch.
Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Fry the chicken in two batches until golden brown. Remove chicken and set aside.
In the same pan, whisk together orange juice, zest, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, and flakes.
Add cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce.
Add chicken to the pan, coat the chicken with the sauce, and cook chicken until sauce clings.
Serve orange chicken hot with rice or noodles.

Tips for Orange Chicken

Fry the chicken in small batches so each piece of chicken stays crispy.
If the sauce is too thin, add cornstarch and water to thicken.
Use fresh oranges to get enough juice and zest for the best flavor.
Don’t overcook the chicken; flip the chicken pieces once and remove chicken when golden brown.
Store leftover orange chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

How to Freeze Orange Chicken

You can freeze orange chicken by storing the chicken and sauce separately. If you freeze them together, the crispy coating may soften.

Fry the chicken and let it cool.
Place chicken in a freezer-safe bag.
Make the orange sauce and store it in a separate airtight container.
When ready to eat, reheat the chicken in the oven until crispy and warm the sauce on the stove.
Combine before serving.

This method ensures that you still enjoy crispy chicken with a sweet orange sauce after reheating.

Serve Orange Chicken

Orange chicken can be served in many ways:

Over steamed rice for a classic pairing.
With fried rice for a full takeout-style meal.
Tossed with noodles for a hearty Chinese food dish.
Alongside stir-fried vegetables for balance.

Comparing Orange Chicken to Other Chinese Dishes

Orange chicken is often compared to other popular Chinese recipes like general tso’s chicken. The difference lies in the flavor profile:

General tso’s chicken is spicier and less sweet.
Orange chicken is sweeter, tangier, and emphasizes the orange flavor.
Both are crispy chicken dishes, but orange chicken sauce made with orange juice gives it a unique taste.

Many Chinese restaurants and takeout menus offer both because they’re two of the most popular Chinese dishes in America.

Want to elevate your meals with authentic flavor? Whip up this easy-to-make Homemade Teriyaki Sauce Recipe and transform your dishes in minutes!

Final Thoughts

Orange chicken is one of those chicken recipes that almost everyone loves. Whether you’re making a homemade orange chicken dish for your family or preparing a batch to freeze for later, the result is always rewarding. The crispy fried chicken coated in sweet orange sauce is proof that Chinese American dishes can be just as exciting as traditional Chinese recipes.

With this guide, you now know how to make orange chicken, prepare the orange sauce, fry the chicken properly, and even store leftovers. Follow these steps, and you’ll have the best orange chicken recipe in your kitchen anytime you crave Chinese take-out.