Homemade Orange Chicken

This homemade orange chicken recipe is better than take-out! Crispy chicken pieces are coated in a sticky orange sauce. It's the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.

If you like easy chicken recipes similar to this, then try my sweet and sour chicken bites and pineapple teriyaki chicken recipes!

Homemade Orange Chicken

Orange chicken is incredibly delicious and features crispy fried chicken coated in a sweet tangy sauce. This dish is made with a combination of orange juice, soy sauce, honey, vinegar, ginger, and garlic powder. The sauce is thickened with cornstarch and poured over fried chicken bites.

To make this recipe, the chicken is first battered and then fried until crispy. Then the sauce is prepared separately and tossed with the chicken. This is what gives this recipe the distinct crispy yet ooey gooey flavor.

Recipe Ingredients

There are two groups of ingredients: batter for the chicken, and orange sauce.

Chicken and batter ingredients

• 4 boneless chicken breasts - chopped into bite-size chunks
• 3 large eggs
• ⅓ cup cornstarch
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• Cooking oil for frying

Orange Chicken Sauce ingredients

• 1 cup orange juice
• ½ cup honey
• 2 Tbsp white vinegar
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp orange zest
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp ginger powder
• ½ tsp paprika
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
• ½ Tbsp cornstarch

How To Make Orange Chicken

Full ingredients and instructions are also in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.

Making orange chicken requires two main steps. First, the chicken pieces are cooked in oil, then the sauce is thickened in a small pot.

Step 1: Chop 4 boneless chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks. Zest the outside of 1 orange to get 1 tablespoon of orange zest. Juice 2-3 oranges (or use store-bought orange juice).

Step 2: In one bowl, beat 3 eggs. In a separate bowl, add ⅓ cup cornstarch, ⅓ cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Coat a handful of the chicken bites in the egg mixture, then toss with the flour/cornstarch mixture. Shake off any excess and place newly coated chicken on a plate. Repeat with the rest of the chicken until it's all coated.

Step 3: Pour 2 to 3 inches of cooking oil into a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Use a thermometer to check when it reaches 350°F. Add the chicken in smaller batches and cook for 2-3 minutes, until it turns golden brown and crispy on the outside. Place the cooked chicken on a plate lined with paper towel. Repeat until all the chicken is cooked.

Step 4: Mix together ½ Tbsp of cornstarch with 1 Tbsp of warm water.

Step 5: In a medium saucepan, heat together the sauce ingredients: 1 cup orange juice, ½ cup honey, 2 tablespoon white vinegar, 2 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon orange zest, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon ginger powder, ½ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes and ½ tablespoon cornstarch mixture from step 4. Gently stir until the sauce has thickened. This will only take 2-3 minutes.

Step 6: Add the cooked chicken bites to a large bowl. Pour the sauce overtop and mix together.

Step 7: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes and chopped green onions if desired. Serve over rice and enjoy!

Can I make this without deep frying?

Yes, you can bake it in the oven. Coat the chicken in the batter and bake it in the oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes or until it's crispy. I recommend flipping the chicken halfway through. The steps to make the orange sauce will remain the same. The baked chicken can be tossed with the orange sauce and served.

Can I use an air fryer instead?

Yes, you can. Coat the chicken in the batter and place it in the air fryer and cook at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, or until cooked through. Give the air fryer basket a shake halfway through. Once the crispy chicken is cooked it can be tossed with the orange chicken sauce made in a pot on the stove and served.

How Do I Discard The Frying Oil?

Cooking oil can be discarded in your compost bin. Once completely cooled, add paper towels to the leftover vegetable oil to absorb the liquid. These paper towels can be added straight to the compost bin or garbage.

How to store leftovers

• Refrigerate - Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. 
• To freeze - Add all the ingredients to a ziploc freezer bag, seal tightly, and store in the freezer.
• To reheat - When ready to use, let thaw if frozen, then reheat in the microwave or on low in a frying pan. You can also reheat in the air fryer at 400°F. Cook until warmed through. It shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes. Toss them halfway through.