This homemade Orange Chicken recipe brings a delightful balance of tangy and sweet flavors, combining juicy chicken pieces with a zesty orange sauce.
Orange Chicken
A deliciously flavorful dish featuring tender chicken bites coated in a citrusy orange glaze, perfect for a delightful family dinner.
- Large skillet or wok
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Tongs
- 1/5 Lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 Cup orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/3 Cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 Cup rice vinegar
- 1/3 Cup brown sugar
- 3 Cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 Tablespoons water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
- Cooked rice for serving
In a bowl, whisk together orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger.
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of oil.
Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then add them to the hot skillet. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, pour in the prepared orange sauce. Bring it to a simmer.
In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Add the slurry to the simmering sauce, stirring continuously until it thickens.
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, coating it evenly with the orange sauce.
Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
Serve the orange chicken hot over cooked rice.
- For an extra kick, add red pepper flakes or chili sauce to the orange sauce. Adjust sweetness by modifying the amount of brown sugar according to taste preferences.
Contents
Orange chicken is not just a dish; it’s a burst of vibrant flavors dancing on your taste buds! Here are some delightful and fun facts about this beloved culinary creation
Asian-American Fusion: Orange chicken is a tantalizing fusion dish that emerged in the United States, blending American-Chinese culinary traditions. It’s a perfect harmony of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors that has captured hearts and taste buds across the globe.
Tantalizing Tanginess: The dish gets its name from the zesty orange-flavored sauce that coats the crispy, tender chicken pieces. The tangy, citrusy notes add a refreshing and lively twist to the classic chicken dish.
Creation Origins: While its exact origin remains a bit mysterious, orange chicken is said to have originated in the 1980s in the United States, possibly within the confines of the Panda Express chain. It swiftly became a star on their menu and eventually gained immense popularity in other Asian-inspired restaurants.
Culinary Innovation: Orange chicken represents the culinary innovation of taking traditional Chinese flavors and adapting them to suit American palates. It’s a testament to the ever-evolving nature of food and cultural exchange.
Iconic Comfort Food: This dish is not just a meal; it’s a comforting hug for your taste buds. The crispy chicken coated in that tangy orange sauce brings a sense of joy and satisfaction with each flavorful bite.
Popularity and Appeal: Orange chicken has become a staple in many households, frequently ordered from takeout menus and recreated in home kitchens. Its popularity transcends age and culture, making it a universally loved comfort food.
Versatility in Pairings: While commonly served with steamed rice or fried rice, orange chicken pairs splendidly with various sides like noodles, vegetables, or even in wraps, offering a myriad of ways to relish its deliciousness.
Food Evolution: The success of orange chicken has inspired a range of other dishes borrowing from its flavor profile, expanding the realm of citrus-infused savory delights in the culinary world.
Internet Sensation: Its irresistible taste and photogenic appeal have made orange chicken a star on social media platforms, with countless foodies sharing their love for this delectable dish through mouthwatering pictures and recipes.
Feel-Good Food: Orange chicken isn’t just about taste; it’s about the joy it brings. It’s the dish you turn to when you need a pick-me-up, lifting your spirits with its vibrant flavors and comforting essence.
Orange chicken isn’t merely a dish; it’s a symphony of flavors that creates moments of pure delight and satisfaction, inviting everyone to savor the tangy, sweet, and utterly delicious experience!
Orange chicken, a culinary masterpiece that transcends mere food—it’s a captivating symphony of flavors that evokes a soul-stirring sensation. Picture succulent pieces of crispy chicken, each bite a harmony of textures—crunchy yet tender—enveloped in a tantalizing coat of vibrant, tangy orange glaze. The aroma alone, a blend of citrusy zest and savory goodness, ignites an anticipatory flutter in the heart.
This dish isn’t just a meal; it’s an emotional journey—a burst of joy with every mouthful. Its citrus-kissed essence brings forth a rush of comfort, like a warm embrace on a chilly day, instantly uplifting spirits and stirring feelings of contentment. The tantalizing blend of sweet and tangy notes creates an orchestra on the taste buds, leaving an indelible mark of satisfaction and a lingering desire for just one more bite.
Orange chicken isn’t simply about flavors; it’s about the emotions it invokes—the memories shared, the moments savored, and the sheer bliss of indulging in a dish that speaks directly to the heart.
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