Zesty Citrus Chicken: A Crispy Takeout Favorite at Home
vxdaCraving that irresistible sweet and savory Orange Chicken from your favorite takeout spot? Look no further! This recipe guides you through creating perfectly crispy fried chicken morsels, generously coated in a bright, zesty, and utterly delicious homemade orange sauce. It's a culinary journey that brings restaurant-quality flavors directly to your dinner table.
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 500 g chicken — cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 pinch black pepper
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 pcs egg white
- 2 tbsp water
For the orange sauce
- 2 pcs garlic — grated
- 1 tsp ginger — grated
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- ½ cup orange juice — fresh
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch — mixed with 2 tbsp water to create a slurry
Instructions
Chicken Preparation and Frying
- 1
In a bowl, combine the chicken, cornstarch, black pepper, soy sauce, egg white, and water.
- 2
Mix until you form a thin, paint-like batter consistency.
- 3
Fry the battered chicken pieces for about 4 to 5 minutes until golden brown.
- 4
For maximum crispiness, double fry the chicken.
Orange Sauce and Assembly
- 1
Grate garlic and ginger into a saucepan.
- 2
Add soy sauce, fresh orange juice, orange zest, brown sugar, and rice wine vinegar to the saucepan.
- 3
Bring the mixture to a boil.
- 4
Stir in cornstarch to thicken the sauce.
- 5
Finally, toss the fried chicken pieces in the prepared orange sauce to coat evenly.