Description
A lighter homemade version of classic orange chicken featuring tender chicken pieces coated in a flavorful and tangy orange sauce, perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner. This recipe balances sweetness, acidity, and savory notes to create a delicious and satisfying dish served best with steamed vegetables or rice.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 500 g boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- ½ cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp orange zest
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Coat the Chicken: Toss the chicken pieces with cornstarch until they are lightly and evenly coated, which will help achieve a slight crispiness and thicken the sauce later.
- Heat the Pan: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil, allowing it to heat up fully for proper cooking and browning of the chicken.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the coated chicken pieces to the hot skillet. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown on the outside and cooked through inside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet with the chicken and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn them.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together fresh orange juice, low-sodium soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, orange zest, and the optional red pepper flakes to combine the flavors.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the cooked chicken and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir frequently and cook for 2 to 4 minutes until the sauce thickens and forms a glossy coating over the chicken.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat. Garnish the dish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve warm alongside steamed broccoli, mixed vegetables, or brown rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use freshly squeezed orange juice for the best and most vibrant flavor.
- To reduce sugar content, cut back on the honey or substitute with a sugar-free sweetener.
- For a low-carbohydrate meal, serve the orange chicken over cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-American
