Takeout Orange Chicken
Takeout Orange Chicken is packed with fresh citrus to brighten up your weeknight dinner rotation. If you do not have a Chinese restaurant near you or you want to know what is in your food this orange chicken is for you! I enjoy my version of takeout orange chicken because it skips the deep fryer and is sweetened by fresh oranges and honey which make for a delicious sauce.
Takeout Orange Chicken
Serves 4
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12-17 minutes
Ingredients:
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite sized pieces*
4 tablespoons soy sauce, divided in half
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
Zest and juice of one navel orange
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 green onions, chopped
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
Steamed white rice for serving, optional
Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, combine the chicken, 2 tablespoons (half) of soy sauce. Toss the chicken to fully coat soy sauce.
2. Add the flour to the chicken and toss until completely coated.
3. In a small bowl whisk together remaining soy sauce, ginger, garlic, orange zest, orange juice, hoisin sauce, honey, rice vinegar, red pepper flakes, and sesame oil.
4. In a large skillet, over medium high heat, heat olive oil until it shimmers. Add in the chicken in an even layer** and cook for 5-7 minutes, until all sides are browned.
5. Add sauce to the skillet. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer for 7 to 10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally to ensure the chicken is cooking and being coated in the sauce evenly. Remove the skillet from heat.
6. Top with green onion and sesame seeds.
7. Serve as a stand alone dish or on a bed of steamed rice.
Pro tip:
*The size of your chicken pieces relate to how long this recipe will take you to make. Smaller pieces = faster Larger pieces = slower
**Adding the chicken in an even layer will allow for the chicken to cook and brown evenly.