🍊🔥 How to Make Orange Chicken: The Ultimate Takeout-Style Delight

9jakitchenblog
October 21, 2025

🧡 Introduction

Craving that sweet-tangy, glossy orange chicken you love from your favourite takeout spot? 🍗✨
Learning how to make orange chicken at home is easier than you think — and even more satisfying. Each bite combines the crunch of golden-fried chicken with a sticky, citrus-infused glaze that’s bursting with flavour.

In this post, you’ll discover step-by-step how to make orange chicken that’s perfectly crispy outside, tender inside, and drenched in glossy orange sauce. Whether you serve it with rice, noodles, or veggies, this recipe guarantees restaurant-quality results right in your kitchen.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

🥢 Restaurant-Quality at Home — Skip the takeout queue! Learn how to make orange chicken that tastes just like your favourite Chinese restaurant.
🍊 Vibrant Citrus Flavour — The homemade orange chicken sauce blends fresh orange juice, zest, and a hint of soy for a balance of sweet and tangy.
🍯 Crispy & Glossy Perfection — Lightly battered chicken tossed in glossy sauce for that classic, irresistible texture.
⏱️ Quick and Simple — Ready in under 40 minutes with everyday pantry ingredients.

🥣 Ingredients You’ll Need

When learning how to make orange chicken, the secret lies in using simple, fresh, and flavorful ingredients that bring out its signature glossy, tangy sweetness. 🍊✨

For the Chicken:

500g boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs (cut into 1-inch cubes)
½ cup cornstarch
½ cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs, beaten
Salt and black pepper to taste
Vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Orange Sauce:

1 cup fresh orange juice (preferably from real oranges 🍊)
1 tbsp orange zest
3 tbsp soy sauce
3 tbsp rice vinegar
3 tbsp brown sugar (adjust for sweetness)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
1 tbsp cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsp water)
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp chilli flakes (optional for spice lovers)

For Garnish:

Sliced spring onions
Toasted sesame seeds
Extra orange zest for a fresh look

⚙️ Equipment Needed

Equipment	Purpose
Mixing bowls	For marinating and coating chicken
Frying pan or wok	For frying and tossing chicken
Saucepan	To cook orange sauce
Whisk	To mix the sauce smoothly
Tongs	For flipping and coating chicken
Paper towels	To cook the orange sauce

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Guide on How to Make Orange Chicken

🧡 Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

In a large bowl, season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
Beat the eggs in a separate bowl. In another bowl, mix cornstarch and flour.
Dip each chicken cube into the egg, then coat thoroughly with the flour-cornstarch mixture.

🔥 Step 2: Fry Until Golden

Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan or wok.
Once hot (around 175°C/350°F), fry the chicken pieces in batches until golden brown and crispy.
Transfer to paper towels to remove excess oil.

🍊 Step 3: Make the Orange Sauce

In a saucepan, combine orange juice, zest, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and chilli flakes.
Bring to a gentle boil. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer until thick and glossy.
Add sesame oil and stir.

🍗 Step 4: Coat the Chicken

Add the fried chicken pieces into the sauce and toss until every piece is beautifully coated and glistening.

🌿 Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Garnish with sesame seeds, chopped spring onions, and a sprinkle of orange zest.
Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

Your Orange Chicken is ready to enjoy!

easy orange chicken recipe — Orange Chicken

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Serve your homemade orange chicken with:

Steamed Jasmine rice for a classic combo 🍚
Stir-fried vegetables like broccoli or snap peas 🥦
Sesame noodles for a bolder Asian-inspired meal
Fresh orange slices for a beautiful finishing touch 🍊

💡 Pro Tips for Perfect Orange Chicken

Double Fry for Extra Crispiness — Fry the chicken twice for that authentic Chinese takeout crunch.
Use Fresh Orange Juice — Freshly squeezed juice gives the sauce a vibrant, zesty kick.
Adjust Sweetness and Tanginess — Add more sugar for a sweeter flavour or extra vinegar for tang.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan — Fry in batches so each piece cooks evenly and stays crispy.
Toss, Don’t Pour — Always toss the chicken in the sauce instead of pouring sauce on top — it ensures even coating and shine.

🧂 Variations You’ll Love

Spicy Orange Chicken — Add extra chilli flakes or sriracha for a fiery twist.
Air-Fried Orange Chicken — Skip deep-frying; use an air fryer for a lighter, crisp version.
Orange Tofu or Cauliflower — Great vegetarian alternatives using the same sauce.
Honey Orange Chicken — Replace sugar with honey for deeper caramelized sweetness.

🧾 Nutritional Information (Approximate per Serving)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	420 kcal
Protein	25 g
Fat	15 g
Carbohydrates	40 g
Fiber	1.2 g
Sugars	18 g
Sodium	620 mg
Vitamin C	25 mg
Iron	1.5 mg

🔗 Source: USDA FoodData Central – Orange↗
(Values are estimates and can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.)

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I make orange chicken ahead of time?
👉Yes! You can fry the chicken in advance and refrigerate it. Reheat and toss with freshly made sauce before serving for best texture.

Q2: Can I use bottled orange juice?
👉You can, but freshly squeezed juice makes the sauce brighter and more flavorful.

Q3: How do I store leftovers?
👉Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stovetop.

Q4: Can I bake instead of frying?
👉Yes! Coat chicken lightly with oil and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes until crisp, then toss in sauce.

🌟 Final Thoughts

Once you learn how to make orange chicken from scratch, you’ll never crave takeout again! The balance of crispy texture and zesty sweetness transforms a simple dinner into something truly unforgettable.

This homemade orange chicken recipe isn’t just about flavour — it’s about joy, colour, and comfort in every bite. 🍊✨