My kids LOVE the orange chicken from Panda Express, so that light bulb went off and I decided to make it myself. This version of the dish isn’t as sweet, and it is a little tangier. The chicken is super tender, juicy, and moist! (melts in your mouth) I prefer my chicken spicy, so unless you have superhuman kids who love hot and spicy things, go ahead and skip the pepper flakes. This is still one of my family’s MOST requested dish (true story)
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken breast or boneless thigh, chopped into bite-size pieces
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 egg whites
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- vegetable oil, for deep frying
For the sauce:
- 2 cloves of garlic, grated
- 2 tbsp grated ginger
- 3 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp butter
- Spring onions, chopped
- Pepper flakes (optional)
Directions:
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Beat the eggwhites until frothy then mix in the cornstarch until blended.
- Add the chicken making sure every piece is coated.
- Deep fry few pieces at a time until cooked. Don’t overcrowd it.
To make the sauce:
- Saute the garlic in sesame oil just until its softened.
- Add the sesame oil, orange juice, soy sauce, apple cider, sweet chili sauce, and brown sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
- Add the water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Dissolve the cornstarch in 2 tbsp water and slowly add to the sauce. Stir until thick.
- Turn off the heat and add the butter and stir.
- Top with chopped with spring onion and pepper flakes.
- Serve with hot steam rice. Enjoy!
Note:
If orange juice is not available, you can use orange juice concentrate usually found in the freezer section at your local grocery store. It’s more concentrated and sweeter, so adjust the amount of water in the recipe depending on your preference. I like the concentrated better than the fresh orange juice because they can be stored in the freezer and can be used whenever you need it.
