Crispy Orange Chicken Sweet Sauce (Printable Version)

Crispy chicken pieces in glossy orange glaze, classic Chinese-American comfort food ready in under an hour.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 2 large eggs
03 - 1/2 cup cornstarch
04 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
05 - 1/2 tsp salt
06 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
07 - Vegetable oil, for frying

→ Orange Sauce

08 - 3/4 cup fresh orange juice (about 2 oranges)
09 - 2 tbsp orange zest
10 - 1/4 cup soy sauce
11 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
12 - 2 tbsp rice vinegar
13 - 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
14 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
15 - 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
16 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
17 - 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry)

→ Garnishes (optional)

18 - 2 spring onions, sliced
19 - 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds

# Directions:

01 - Whisk eggs in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, combine cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper. Dip each chicken piece into the egg, then coat thoroughly in the flour mixture.
02 - Heat 1.5 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat (350°F). Fry chicken in batches for 4–5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
03 - Combine orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves completely.
04 - Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens and develops a glossy sheen.
05 - Add fried chicken to the sauce, tossing to coat evenly. Cook for 2 minutes to heat through. Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with sliced spring onions and sesame seeds if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce strikes that perfect balance between sweet and tangy, just like the restaurant version you crave on lazy nights
  • Chicken thighs stay juicy even after double coating and frying, so every bite is tender not dry
  • You get serious bragging rights when you tell people you made it from scratch
02 -
  • Hot oil is terrifying but necessary, so dont be tempted to lower the temperature or youll get greasy soggy chicken
  • The sauce thickens fast once you add the cornstarch slurry, so have your chicken ready and standing by
  • Leftovers reheat surprisingly well in a hot oven, though they rarely last that long in my house
03 -
  • Cut your chicken into uniformly sized pieces so everything finishes frying at the same time
  • Let your coated chicken rest on a rack for 10 minutes before frying to help the coating set
  • Warm your serving platter so the sauce stays glossy and pourable longer
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