Crispy Cantonese-Style Orange Chicken

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Bite-sized chicken pieces fried until golden and crispy, tossed in a bright and tangy orange sauce with a hint of ginger and garlic. This chinese-inspired chinese ready in about 35 minutes pairs cornstarch, all-purpose flour, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

★ 4.6 (12 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup cornstarch, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss 500g boneless chicken thigh pieces in the mixture until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Heat about 2 cups vegetable oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat to 350°F. Fry the coated chicken pieces in batches for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
  3. Step 3: In a separate saucepan, combine 3/4 cup fresh orange juice, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced ginger, and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  4. Step 4: Stir in the cornstarch slurry made of 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water and cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and is glossy.
  5. Step 5: Toss the fried chicken pieces in the orange sauce until fully coated and heated through.
  6. Step 6: Transfer to a serving plate and garnish with 2 tbsp sliced green onions and 1 tsp sesame seeds before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Crispy Cantonese-Style Orange Chicken take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Crispy Cantonese-Style Orange Chicken?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cornstarch from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Crispy Cantonese-Style Orange Chicken?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Crispy Cantonese-Style Orange Chicken for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Crispy Cantonese-Style Orange Chicken?

Chinese chinese like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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