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Baked Orange Chicken Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4 from 8 reviews
  • Author: Sue
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American-Chinese Fusion

Description

This Baked Orange Chicken recipe features tender chicken pieces coated in a crispy cornstarch and egg batter, pan-seared before being baked in a sweet and tangy homemade orange sauce. It offers a delightful balance of flavors with a hint of spice from chili flakes and freshness from orange zest and green onions. Perfectly paired with rice and broccoli, this dish delivers a comforting, restaurant-style meal made at home in about an hour.

Ingredients

Chicken and Coating

  • 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 3 tablespoons oil

Orange Sauce

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons green onion (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish and set aside for later use.
  2. Season Chicken: Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and season evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper, ensuring all pieces are well coated.
  3. Coat Chicken: Dredge each seasoned chicken piece first in cornstarch, then dip it into the beaten eggs. Repeat this process to ensure a good coating, covering all chicken pieces.
  4. Brown Chicken: Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the coated chicken pieces and cook until they are browned on all sides, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. The goal is to get a crispy exterior without fully cooking the chicken through.
  5. Prepare Orange Sauce: In a medium-sized bowl, mix together brown sugar, orange juice, rice vinegar, soy sauce, finely chopped garlic, red chili flakes, orange zest, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, and 1 teaspoon salt. Stir well until the sugar and cornstarch are fully dissolved.
  6. Bake Chicken with Sauce: Transfer the browned chicken pieces into the prepared baking dish. Pour the orange sauce mixture evenly over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 50 minutes.
  7. Stir During Baking: Every 15 minutes, carefully remove the dish from the oven and stir the chicken and sauce to redistribute the sauce and promote even cooking. Continue baking until the sauce thickens and the chicken is fully cooked and well coated.
  8. Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped green onions. Serve the baked orange chicken warm alongside steamed rice and broccoli for a complete meal.

Notes

  • Make sure to stir the chicken every 15 minutes during baking to prevent sticking and ensure even coating of the sauce.
  • If you prefer spicier food, increase the amount of red chili flakes to taste.
  • For a gluten-free option, substitute soy sauce with tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative.
  • The chicken can be replaced with boneless thighs if preferred; adjust cooking time slightly to ensure thorough cooking.
  • Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat covered in the oven or microwave.

Find it online: https://suerecipe.com/baked-orange-chicken-recipe/