Description
This Easy Orange Chicken recipe features tender, bite-sized chicken pieces tossed in a tangy and sweet homemade orange sauce, quickly cooked in a skillet for a delicious weeknight meal. With a perfect balance of citrus, ginger, and garlic flavors, it’s a simple yet flavorful dish that can be served with scallions for an added fresh touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- Chopped scallions (optional, for serving)
Sauce
- 3/4 cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Zest from 1 orange
- 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and place them in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper, then sprinkle the cornstarch over the chicken. Toss everything together until the chicken is evenly coated with cornstarch.
- Prepare the sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the orange juice, soy sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar, cornstarch, orange zest, grated ginger, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Set aside.
- Heat the skillet: Warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat for a few minutes until hot.
- Cook the chicken: Add half of the chicken pieces to the hot skillet, making sure they are spaced out and not crowded to allow proper browning. Cook for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the chicken is browned and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F). For the second batch, add about 1 tablespoon more olive oil to the skillet and repeat the cooking process. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate.
- Make the sauce and combine: Turn off the burner but keep the skillet hot. Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet. As it heats and starts to bubble, stir and scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pan to incorporate flavor. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the thickened sauce. Serve immediately, topped with chopped scallions if desired.
Notes
- For best results, prep all ingredients ahead of time since the cooking process goes quickly.
- Use fresh orange juice and zest for a bright, authentic citrus flavor.
- The red pepper flakes add a mild heat but can be omitted if you prefer no spice.
- Serve with steamed rice or vegetables for a complete meal.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the pan when cooking the chicken to get a nice browned crust.
Keywords: orange chicken, easy orange chicken, skillet chicken recipe, quick dinner, Chinese inspired chicken, homemade orange sauce