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Baked Orange Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 57 reviews

This Baked Orange Chicken recipe is a healthier twist on the classic Chinese takeout favorite. Crispy, panko-breaded chicken thighs are baked to perfection and coated in a tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy orange sauce made from fresh ingredients like orange zest and juice, ginger, garlic, and a touch of crushed red pepper. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, this dish combines bold flavors without the need for deep frying.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Breading

  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 pounds chicken thighs, boneless, skinless, cut into small chunks
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, divided

Orange Sauce

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
  • 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine (or white wine)
  • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice (juice from zested orange)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
  • 10 tablespoons sugar
  • 10 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 1 orange, zested

Instructions

  1. Prepare Breadcrumbs: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Place the panko breadcrumbs in a food processor and pulse until they become smaller, resembling regular breadcrumbs.
  2. Set Up Breading Stations: Divide your ingredients into four separate bowls: one with the processed panko, one with chicken pieces, one with beaten eggs, and one with flour.
  3. Bread the Chicken: Dip each piece of chicken first into the flour, then the beaten egg, and finally coat thoroughly with the panko breadcrumbs. Place the breaded chicken pieces on a baking sheet and lightly spray them with cooking spray or brush with vegetable oil for crispiness.
  4. Bake the Chicken: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the coating is crispy and the chicken is cooked through.
  5. Make the Orange Sauce: While the chicken bakes, heat the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced ginger, garlic, and crushed red pepper and sauté for about 30 seconds until aromatic.
  6. Simmer the Sauce: Add the cornstarch, rice wine, fresh orange juice, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, white vinegar, and orange zest to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens. Turn off the heat and keep the sauce warm.
  7. Toss and Serve: Once the chicken has finished baking, toss the crispy pieces in the orange sauce until well coated. Serve immediately for a delicious, crispy, and flavorful dish.

Notes

  • For extra crispiness, spray or brush the chicken pieces with oil before baking.
  • Adjust the crushed red pepper amount to control the spice level.
  • Using fresh orange juice and zest enhances the flavor significantly.
  • Serve with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.

Keywords: orange chicken, baked chicken, crispy chicken, Chinese takeout, healthy chicken recipe

Find it online: https://kochenmitviktoria.com/baked-orange-chicken-recipe/