This Spicy Orange Chicken delivers a bold combination of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors with every bite. The crispy, pan-fried chicken pieces soak up the rich, citrusy sauce, creating a perfect balance of texture and taste. Fresh orange juice, Shaoxing wine, and chili oil bring an authentic depth, making this a must-try dish for any fan of Asian-inspired cooking. Unlike traditional deep-fried versions, this orange chicken is lightly pan-fried, giving it just the right amount of crunch without excess oil. Paired with fluffy white rice and garnished with scallions and crispy shallots, it’s a restaurant-quality dish that you can easily whip up at home. Serve it for a cozy weeknight dinner or impress your guests with this homemade takeout classic.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
For the Sauce:
- 4 oz fresh squeezed orange juice
- 2 tsp orange zest
- 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 4 tbsp light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp chili oil (optional)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
For the Chicken:
- 2–3 tbsp neutral oil (vegetable or canola)
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- ¾ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp white pepper
For the Aromatics:
- 2 tsp neutral oil
- 6 oz shiitake mushrooms, sliced
- 2 tsp fresh ginger, minced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2–3 bird’s eye chilies, minced
- 2 scallions, minced
For Serving:
- Cooked white rice
- Sliced scallion greens, crispy shallots, or sesame seeds
Directions:
- Prepare the sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients until smooth. Set aside.
- Season the chicken: In a separate bowl, toss the chicken with salt, white pepper, and cornstarch until fully coated.
- Pan-fry the chicken: Heat 2–3 tbsp oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken in batches for 4–6 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a bowl.
- Sauté the mushrooms: Add 1 tsp oil to the skillet and cook the mushrooms for 4–5 minutes until golden brown. Remove and add to the chicken.
- Cook the aromatics: Heat the remaining 1 tsp oil in the same skillet. Add ginger, garlic, chilies, and scallions, and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Simmer the sauce: Pour in the prepared sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir frequently for 3–5 minutes until thick.
- Combine everything: Return the cooked chicken and mushrooms to the skillet. Toss everything together until evenly coated. Cook for another 2–3 minutes.
- Serve: Spoon over cooked rice and garnish with scallions, crispy shallots, or sesame seeds.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 45 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Calories: 359 kcal | Servings: 4
Spicy Orange Chicken Perfect Balance of Sweet, Savory, and Heat
Orange chicken has been a staple in Chinese-American cuisine for decades, offering the perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and slightly crispy chicken coated in a luscious orange sauce. This Spicy Orange Chicken recipe takes the classic dish to the next level by incorporating bold flavors, aromatic spices, and just the right amount of heat.
Unlike the deep-fried version commonly found in restaurants, this homemade variation is pan-fried, making it a slightly healthier alternative while still maintaining a crispy texture. The sauce is made from fresh orange juice, soy sauce, chili oil, and other umami-packed ingredients, ensuring each bite is filled with vibrant, complex flavors.
If you’re looking for a dish that is easy to prepare yet impressive enough to serve to guests, this Spicy Orange Chicken is a fantastic choice. It pairs beautifully with white rice, steamed vegetables, or even noodles, making it a versatile meal for any occasion.
A Brief History of Orange Chicken
The origin of orange chicken, as we know it today, is closely tied to Chinese-American cuisine, specifically to the fast-food chain Panda Express. The dish was created in 1987 by Executive Chef Andy Kao, who sought to develop a unique dish inspired by flavors from China’s Hunan province. The result was a sweet, tangy, and lightly crispy chicken dish coated in a glossy orange sauce and it quickly became a favorite across America.
However, the concept of using citrus in savory dishes dates back much further. Tangerine chicken, a dish that originated in Hunan, China, is often considered a distant relative of orange chicken. Unlike the Americanized version, tangerine chicken is spicier, less sweet, and does not involve deep-frying. Instead, it is sautéed in oil with dried tangerine peels and chilies, creating a bolder, more aromatic flavor profile.
This Spicy Orange Chicken recipe sits somewhere in between the traditional tangerine chicken and the Americanized orange chicken, offering a balanced mix of sweetness, heat, and umami-rich depth.
What Makes This Recipe Special?
1. Fresh Ingredients for Maximum Flavor
While many recipes use bottled orange juice or marmalade, this version uses freshly squeezed orange juice and zest to achieve a naturally sweet and tangy taste. The orange zest enhances the fragrance of the sauce, giving it a citrusy punch that you just can’t get from store-bought alternatives.
2. The Right Cut of Chicken for Tender, Juicy Bites
Instead of using chicken breast, this recipe calls for boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Why? Because thighs have more fat and natural juiciness, which helps them stay tender and flavorful even after frying. They also develop a better crispy exterior when coated in cornstarch.
3. The Perfect Balance of Sweet, Savory, and Spicy
What makes this dish stand out is the spicy kick added to the traditional orange sauce. This recipe incorporates bird’s eye chilies small but incredibly potent chilies known for their intense heat. Combined with chili oil, they give the sauce just the right amount of warmth without overpowering the natural citrus notes.
4. A Healthier Alternative to Deep-Fried Orange Chicken
Many restaurant versions of orange chicken are deep-fried, making them high in oil and calories. In contrast, this recipe uses pan-frying, which reduces excess oil while still giving the chicken a nice crispiness. Lightly coating the chicken in cornstarch before frying also helps achieve that signature texture without needing a heavy batter.
How to Serve Spicy Orange Chicken
This dish is incredibly versatile and can be served in several ways:
- With Steamed White Rice 🍚 – The most classic way to enjoy orange chicken, as the rice absorbs the delicious sauce beautifully.
- With Fried Rice 🍳 – A great way to add extra flavor and texture to your meal. Try it with vegetable fried rice or egg fried rice.
- With Steamed Vegetables 🥦 – If you want a lighter option, serve it with steamed broccoli, bok choy, or snap peas. The vegetables provide a nice contrast to the sweet and spicy sauce.
- With Noodles 🍜 – Toss the chicken with lo mein or rice noodles for a heartier dish.
This Spicy Orange Chicken is also perfect for meal prep since the flavors intensify over time. Simply store it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When reheating, warm it up in a skillet over low heat to maintain the texture.
Tips for Success
✅ Use fresh orange juice and zest – This enhances the citrus flavor and makes a noticeable difference in taste.
✅ Don’t skip the cornstarch coating – It helps create the perfect crispiness when pan-frying the chicken.
✅ Adjust the spice level – If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the number of bird’s eye chilies or omit the chili oil. If you love extra heat, add red pepper flakes or more chili oil.
✅ Cook the sauce until thickened – Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until it reaches the right consistency. If it’s too thick, add a splash of water.
✅ Garnish for extra texture and flavor – Adding crispy shallots, toasted sesame seeds, or extra scallions makes the dish even more delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Quick and easy – Perfect for weeknight dinners, taking only about 1 hour from start to finish.
✔ Better than takeout – You control the ingredients, making it healthier and fresher than restaurant versions.
✔ Incredible flavor – A balance of sweet, savory, spicy, and tangy flavors in every bite.
✔ Crowd-pleasing dish – Impress your family and friends with this homemade takeout favorite.
Conclusion:
This Spicy Orange Chicken is the ultimate fusion of bold citrus flavors, subtle sweetness, and fiery heat. By using fresh ingredients, pan-frying instead of deep-frying, and balancing the spice level perfectly, this recipe offers a healthier yet just as delicious alternative to the classic takeout dish.
Whether you’re making it for a quick weeknight dinner or serving it at a family gathering, this dish is guaranteed to be a hit. The combination of crispy chicken, a sticky orange sauce, and aromatic spices creates an unforgettable flavor experience that you’ll want to make again and again.