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Crispy Orange Chicken Recipe Easy Sweet Tangy Glaze at Home

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A quick and easy recipe for crispy chicken thighs coated in a sweet and tangy orange glaze, perfect for weeknight dinners. The chicken is crunchy on the outside, juicy inside, and coated with a fresh, bright glaze.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (can swap with cornstarch for extra crispiness)
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Vegetable oil, for frying (about 2 cups or enough to shallow fry)
  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup honey or brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1–2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp grated fresh ginger (optional)
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • Optional garnish: sliced green onions and sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper. Set up coating station with one bowl of beaten eggs and another with flour.
  2. Dip each chicken piece into the egg, letting excess drip off, then dredge in flour, pressing lightly to adhere. Set coated pieces aside.
  3. Pour vegetable oil into a skillet to about 1 inch depth. Heat over medium-high to 350°F (175°C). Test by dropping a pinch of flour into the oil; it should sizzle immediately.
  4. Fry chicken pieces in batches without overcrowding for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels or wire rack.
  5. While frying, combine orange juice, soy sauce, honey/brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
  6. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and continue stirring until glaze thickens and becomes glossy, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in sesame oil.
  7. Toss the crispy chicken pieces in the warm glaze until evenly coated. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately over steamed rice or with vegetables.

Notes

For extra crispy chicken, double fry by frying once until golden, draining, then frying again for 1-2 minutes before glazing. To make gluten-free, use cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend and tamari instead of soy sauce. Fresh orange juice is preferred for best flavor. Avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain oil temperature and crispiness. Reheat leftovers in a skillet to keep coating crisp.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy orange chicken, sweet tangy glaze, easy dinner, chicken thighs, quick recipe, weeknight meal, homemade orange chicken

Find it online: https://yumyep.com/crispy-orange-chicken-recipe-easy-sweet-tangy-glaze-at-home/